BTS launched a new phase of their career, opening their “ARIRANG” world tour with a stadium-scale production that merged Korean aesthetics with global performance.
According to BigHit Music, BTS held the opening shows of “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’” at Goyang Stadium.
Across April 9 and 11–12, the three concerts drew a combined audience of 132,000. With additional Weverse streaming and live viewing across 194 countries and regions, the event expanded into a global-scale broadcast experience.
The stage design reflected the identity of their fifth studio album “ARIRANG.” A 360-degree open structure inspired by the Taegeukgi’s trigrams and a pavilion reinterpretation of Gyeonghoeru highlighted traditional Korean visual elements.
Opening with masked performers through smoke effects, BTS launched into “Hooligan” and “Aliens,” followed by a dynamic “Run BTS” stage enhanced by drone camera work. The members remarked, “It has been about four years since we released ‘ARIRANG’ and began this tour. We can truly hear your voices tonight,” sharing their emotion with fans.
The performance unfolded as a large-scale artistic sequence. “NORMAL” carried a visual tone reminiscent of ink wash painting, while “Merry Go Round” incorporated traditional dance elements. Mega hits including “FAKE LOVE,” “MIC Drop,” and “FIRE” elevated the stadium atmosphere to its peak.
A key highlight came with the new track “Body to Body,” which integrated folk influences. The stage featured a Ganggangsullae-inspired performance alongside a massive global singalong of “Arirang,” forming a unified moment across audiences.
Amid fireworks, BTS addressed fans with sincerity. “We are showing many changes under the name ‘BTS 2.0,’ but the most important things have not changed,” they said. “The fact that the seven of us chose to continue together, and our sincerity toward you, will remain the same.” The members bowed deeply in gratitude.
Reaffirming their unity on stage, BTS now moves forward with the next leg of their tour.
Following the Goyang shows, the group will continue in Tokyo on April 17–18, expanding across 34 cities worldwide with a total of 85 performances spanning North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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