BTS Expands Global Influence: El Paso Celebrates with Special Awards and Economic Impact
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(The CEN News / Reporter Yang Hyung-joo) BTS is bolstering its international standing through global musical achievements and the reach of its live performances.
As of April 28, BTS is receiving special welcomes from local communities ahead of its U.S. concerts, following record-breaking success in France and Japan.
On the morning of April 27 (local time), the El Paso County Commission presented BTS with the “Estimado Amigo” special award and passed a resolution designating May 2–3 as “El Paso BTS Weekend.” The move reflects the county’s assessment of the concert’s likely positive impact on the local economy, tourism and the city’s profile. Officials also cited the social messages and public value of BTS’s music.
Brook Underwood, executive director of Visit El Paso, said the upcoming concerts are expected to generate an economic impact of about 110.5 billion KRW (approximately $82.9 million). Local fans are mobilizing as well: El Paso ARMY has launched a fundraiser to illuminate the landmark Star on the Mountain in purple from April 28 through May 4.
BTS opened its BTS WORLD TOUR “ARIRANG” IN NORTH AMERICA on April 25 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, and will continue with a historic solo performance at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium — the first solo show there by a Korean artist.
Their musical achievements are notable, too. On April 27, France’s national record association, SNEP, certified BTS’s fifth studio album, ARIRANG, as platinum in the album category. SNEP awards platinum status to albums that surpass 100,000 units when sales and streaming equivalents are combined. The certification gives BTS its fourth platinum album, following MAP OF THE SOUL: 7; Proof; and LOVE YOURSELF: “ANSWER.”
Notably, ARIRANG reached Gold in six days and Platinum in about a month, marking the group’s shortest time-to-certification and underscoring far stronger local demand than for earlier releases, which took more than a year to reach similar milestones.
Success continued in Japan. On April 28, the Recording Industry Association of Japan certified “Let Go,” from the album FACE YOURSELF, as platinum after the track surpassed 100 million cumulative streams. That brings BTS to 17 platinum certifications in Japan, extending the K-pop record for the most certifications by a single artist. ARIRANG also surpassed 750,000 units shipped in Japan, earning triple-platinum status just 11 days after release.
The North American leg spans 12 cities, including Mexico City, Las Vegas and Chicago, with 31 shows and widespread sellouts. The world tour is scheduled to cover 34 cities with 85 performances, and officials have indicated additional dates may be added in Japan and the Middle East.
Photo: BigHit Music, SNEP
(The CEN News) Reporter Yang Hyung-joo press@mhns.co.kr
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