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| Photo: BigHit Music |
[Sports Today reporter Yoon Hye-young] K-pop supergroup BTS has ushered in a new \”2.0\” era.
On April 11, BTS (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook) launched their new world tour, BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG IN GOYANG (hereafter BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG), at the main stadium of the Goyang Sports Complex in Ilsan-seo-gu, Goyang.
The ARIRANG tour is the group’s first full-scale outing in roughly four years since BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE concluded successfully in April 2022. The three-show engagement on April 9, 11 and 12 sold out immediately when tickets went on sale. Organizers expect a total audience of about 132,000 people (44,000 per show).
Reuniting with fans on a tour after a long hiatus, BTS appeared visibly moved by the roaring ARMY. V said, We tried a 360-degree stage. It feels amazing to be surrounded by ARMY. Suga added that they particularly wanted to present a newer side on this tour. We experimented with staging, the set list and other elements, so some aspects may feel unfamiliar, but I hope everyone enjoys it through to the end.
For this tour, BTS heavily featured new tracks from their fifth studio album, Arirang, embedding those songs into the set list to emphasize the group’s present identity, distinct from their past work.
The production wove Korean aesthetics throughout and tightly linked the concert to Arirang’s themes. Traditional symbols were reimagined with a modern sensibility and blended organically with the music, sharpening the message BTS aimed to convey.
Pre-show LED visuals incorporated gugak (traditional Korean music) and folk songs, layering Korean motifs over a hanji-textured backdrop. From the moment the house lights dimmed, the staging made the show’s cultural references unmistakable.
The central pavilion on the 360-degree stage was modeled on Gyeonghoeru, and the stage floor drew on the Taegeuk motif. A circular taegeuk pattern anchored the center while protruding platforms radiated outward—design elements inspired by the four trigrams (Geon, Gon, Gam, Ri). Notably, this is BTS’s first time performing on a full 360-degree stage.
The concert’s Korean colors remained prominent across performances. For the track they don’t know ’bout us, dancers used screen imagery that modernized traditional Korean masks. On Merry Go Round, a large cloth inspired by the seungmu (temple dance) served as a dramatic prop.
The new song Body to Body, which garnered attention for incorporating the folk tune Arirang, staged a Ganggangsullae-inspired sequence using LED flags and ribbon-like LED visuals reminiscent of sangmo hat ribbons. During the Arirang section, a massive sing-along by fans created one of the night’s most stirring moments.
The mid-show VCR carried symbolic weight as well. The short film unfolded around seven elements—heaven, earth, water and fire (represented by the four trigrams), plus yin, yang and purity. Large swathes of fabric, sweeping lasers, light rippling like a water surface and theatrical smoke combined to heighten immersion, while figures cloaked in blue and red personified yin and yang, visually echoing the taegeuk.
For the encore, BTS performed smash hits Butter and Dynamite, then, responding to fan requests, delivered spontaneous performances of Take Two and DNA, which drew thunderous cheers.
The members closed the night with heartfelt remarks. Suga said he hoped the show helped blow away some of the audience’s stress and that he leaves with good memories thanks to the fans. Jimin told the crowd he had missed them deeply and thanked them for waiting. We prepared this tour to give you great stages and music, he said, and we’ll keep working hard to do that. Thank you for always being by our side— we’ll be by yours going forward as well.
RM reflected on the long wait: This took a very long time. Thank you sincerely for waiting and for your support. We’ve been talking about a ‘2.0’ era and showing many changes, but the things that truly matter haven’t changed: first, that the seven of us decided to keep doing this together; second, our genuine care for you. We don’t take for granted what you’ve filled this place with, not for a moment. We’re all over 30 now, and this decision came from independent individuals who have worked together for 15 years. We chose to keep going together, so please trust us a little more, be generous with our changes and enjoy them. Just believe in us once.
After a deep bow, Jungkook emphasized, No matter the situation, please know that all my actions and my heart toward you are sincere. I’ll give my all for you. Just wait, and I’ll repay you as an artist in many different ways.
BTS will play Tokyo Dome on April 17–18 before embarking on a global run of 85 shows across 34 cities in North America, Europe, South America and Asia—a record number of dates for a single tour by a Korean artist. Additional dates in Japan and the Middle East have also been announced, further expanding the itinerary.
[Sports Today reporter Yoon Hye-young ent@stoo.com]
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