BTS kicks off massive ‘Arirang’ reunion world tour

The leading K-pop group is embarking on a global ‘Arirang’ reunion tour, featuring a new album and performances in 34 cities worldwide. Over 40,000 fans gathered at a Seoul-area stadium for the inaugural show, which took place at Goyang Stadium near the capital.

BTS kicked off their international concert tour on Thursday, with the first of three shows held at Goyang Stadium. The event marked the group’s return after a nearly four-year break, during which they completed their mandatory military service.

Tickets for the concerts in South Korea, North America, and Europe sold out rapidly, according to the group’s management agency. Attendees, adorned in purple—symbolizing the ARMY fanbase—arrived in the rain hours before the performance.

Band members RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook are making their stage comeback after serving in the military. Their reuniting in 2025 led to the release of their fifth studio album, ‘Arirang,’ named after a traditional folk song shared by both North and South Korea.

The album, released in March, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, a milestone for a K-pop group. It also topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks, breaking records.

Following their Seoul free concert last month, the tour will proceed to Tokyo before expanding across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia. It is set to conclude in Manila, Philippines, next March, with Australia as a stop in early 2027.

Analysts estimate the tour could generate up to $1.81 billion (€1.5 billion) in total revenue, highlighting its scale and anticipated success.

BTS is short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, or “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” in Korean. The group debuted in June 2013 with the hip-hop heavy album “2 Cool 4 Skool.” They grew in prominence with their 2016 album “Wings.” The upcoming performances will draw from both BTS’ catalog and the new album.