BTS kicks off Busan leg of 'Arirang' world tour with sold-out concerts
SEOUL — K-pop supergroup BTS opened the Busan leg of its "Arirang" world tour on Friday with two sold-out performances at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, according to Yonhap News Agency. The concerts, held on Friday and Saturday, drew a combined audience of around 110,000 fans, with tickets selling out for both nights.
The Busan shows mark BTS' first performance in the southern port city in more than three years. The group last performed there in October 2022 during the "Yet to Come in Busan" concert, which supported the city's bid to host the 2030 World Expo. The venue also holds special significance as the site of the group's last performance before its members began their mandatory military service.
The second concert, held on Saturday, coincided with the band's 13th debut anniversary, which the members marked with emotional tributes to their fanbase, known as ARMY. Member Jin told fans, "We spent 13 years together, and I think we were able to endure for a long time because of you." J-Hope reflected on the group's global journey, saying, "I can't believe it's June 13. It's already been 13 years with you — it's amazing. Thank you so much." He also emphasized the importance of performing at home: "All seven of us are Korean. There is nothing better than performing in Korea." Jimin credited fans for the group's growth and promised "better performances and good music" in return.
The Busan concerts are part of the "Arirang" world tour, which kicked off in April at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, northwest of Seoul. According to BigHit Music, the group's agency, the North American leg alone attracted 840,000 fans across 15 shows in five cities — Tampa, El Paso, Stanford, Las Vegas, and Mexico City. Due to overwhelming demand, additional shows were added in Tampa, Stanford, and Las Vegas, all of which sold out. Billboard reported that the tour grossed US$76.2 million and sold 417,000 tickets in its first eight shows in Goyang, Tokyo, and Tampa in April, making it the highest-grossing tour that month.
The "Arirang" tour marks BTS' return to live performances after a nearly four-year hiatus, during which members fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service for men, according to Yonhap. The tour is scheduled to run through March next year, with 86 shows planned across 34 cities. After the Busan concerts, the group will continue in Madrid on June 26–27.
The Busan concerts also featured a live viewing in approximately 3,800 movie theaters across more than 80 countries, with screenings available in South Korea at major multiplex chains including CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox. Alongside the concerts, BTS launched a cultural project titled "BTS The City Arirang Busan," which runs through June 21 and includes events such as a drone lighting show over Gwangan Bridge and a lighting display on the roof of the Busan Cinema Center.
The group's return to Busan was met with enthusiasm from fans and members alike. RM, the group's leader, said in a written interview with BigHit that he was "very happy" to perform again in his home country and that Busan holds special meaning as the site of the group's last concert before enlistment. Suga recalled the "cheers and heat" from the previous concert and expressed hope for "another passionate concert together this time."
The Busan concerts concluded with the members expressing gratitude for the support they have received over the years. As the tour continues, BTS is expected to bring its performances to audiences across the globe, with the group's agency confirming the schedule through early next year.