NOT to be insensitive, but while people the world over are being rocked by current happenings, BTS ARMYs, the determined, eternally devoted fan base of the world’s biggest band, are bracing themselves for a different earthshaking event.
On April 9, 2026, BTS is holding its first world tour since Love Yourself: Speak Yourself in August 2018 to October 2019, and since the three-city Permission to Dance on Stage series of 2021 to 2022. This new tour, titled Arirang, after the beloved Korean folk song representing national identity, is the most massive one so far, counting 34 cities and 82 shows, beginning at Goyang Stadium outside Seoul, which has a capacity of over 41,000 people—bannered by The Korean Herald as “the largest-ever K-pop tour by a single act.”
The ‘Arirang’ album launch is on March 21, Saturday, 7 pm Manila time on Netflix.
BTS IS SEVEN! 🎶 BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG. March 21 8pm KST / 4am PT. LIVE worldwide exclusively on Netflix. #BTSLiveonNetflix #BTS_ARIRANG pic.twitter.com/qsl1DrOFLw
— netflix⁷ (@netflix) March 18, 2026
A month before this all begins, however, is the launch on March 20 of the group’s fifth album, also titled Arirang, and a historic performance to launch the album that’s set to be livestreamed on Netflix on March 21, 7 pm Korean Standard Time (6 pm in Manila). Titled BTS: The Comeback: Arirang, it’s shaping up to be an event of both national (to Korea) and global import. There will also be a BTS: The Return documentary to be aired on March 27, also on Netflix.
The Gwanghwamun Square is a national site—but only accommodates 18,000 people. (Photo from Trip Advisor)
As public events go, and with an event of this magnitude, the album launch is shaping up to be a nightmare in terms of logistics. The only way to get tickets is through a lottery on Weverse (the official Hybe site) for global reservations and advance tickets. As reported by Korea Times last February 13, it will be held at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a historic site symbolic of South Korea’s democracy, often used for political or national gatherings.
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As reported by the website NOL World in a feature titled BTS The City Arirang, starting March 20, the whole city of Seoul will be transformed into a “‘city-type play park’ offering diverse experiences through events for fans held throughout the city,” referring to “symbolic moments where traditional and modern K-culture coexist.” The website counts some 31 events occurring city-wide.
Special retail deals await ARMYs in the launch area.
ARMYs will be treated to deals around the Gwanghwamun area starting March 21. Restaurant Gwanghwamun Myeonok is offering 1,000 bowls of free cold noodles beginning 11 am. If you’re wearing purple, Coffee@Works is offering 20 percent off on purchases. For the shoppers, the Shinsegae Duty Free in Myeong-dong and other stores will offer BTS merch and other purple-themed products. There are restaurant promos: restaurant Bonjuk & Bibimbap offers a free rice punch with each order, for example. There’s even 7 percent off for hanbok rentals at the Hanbok Gyeongbok Palace, for the authentic Korean experience.
As of its writing, the Korea Times article notes, plans were underway to let the boys enter through Seoul’s royal ceremonial path, with their Hybe management agency negotiating the dramatic entrance with the National Heritage Administration and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. This would have our OT7 moving through the “King’s Road,” from Geunjeongmun Gate and the Heungnyemun Gate inside Gyeongbokgung Palace (where BTS shot a video for Idol, dressed in modernized hanbok), through the main Gwanghwamun gate, and onto the elevated ceremonial platform to finally reach the stage, a mini-procession in itself.
The article also quotes BigHit Music’s statement: “‘The new album Arirang captures BTS’ origins, identity, and the emotions they wish to convey right now,’ the agency said in a statement. ‘Given the symbolism of the word Arirang, we wanted to stage their first post-military performance in the space that best represents Korea.”
With some 260,000 attendees expected in a place with a capacity of only 18,000, says Facebook page Korean Topik, security preparations are in high gear. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has assigned a dedicated task force to manage the event, with the site divided into four density zones—”Core,” “Hot,” “Warm,” and “Cold” (how very K-dramatic!)—further split into 15 sectors to control crowds. They are also bracing themselves for overnight fan lines and crowds starting the night before.
Agency chief Park Jeong-bo has made a pledge, Korea Times reports: “We will ensure citizen safety through rigorous crowd management.”
Also to be fielded are 13 violent crime teams from nine precincts, as well as police commandos for counter-terrorism insurance (!). Subway trains and buses are on alert to bypass Gwanghwamun Station, the nearest to the square, if the crowds become unruly.
To be fielded are 13 violent crime teams from nine precincts, as well as police commandos for counter-terrorism insurance (!)
If you want to be already in the area for the album launch, too late: Most hotels are already fully booked, with prices for a one-night stay rocketing to some US$693, reports Korea Times—peanuts for rich, dedicated ARMY, but still…
Although critics are saying crackdowns on scalpers and overcharging hotels are coming too late—inspectors have been at it since February—the mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hoon is making a politico’s promise, as quoted by Korea Times: “This concert is a golden opportunity to imprint Seoul’s charm as a global cultural capital…We will prepare thoroughly to ensure safety and prevent price gouging.”
The entire Seoul throws a city-wide BTS party.
According to Korean Topik, Seoul City and HYBE are also working together to keep things safe: There will be giant electronic screens in nearby landmarks like the Koreana Hotel and KT Gwanghwamun Building, so fans can watch the concert live away from the venue. Special “fan experience zones” are also being planned in large public places like Seoul Plaza and Yeouido Park. “This isn’t just a concert,” says Korean Topik; “It could be one of the biggest BTS public events ever in Korea!”
Although the actual concerts may not be as daunting because of the closed venue and paid-for tickets, the bloodbath is still on in the search for those tickets. Goyang shows and most North American venues have sold out, so brace yourself if you’re still hoping. In fact, according to The Korean Herald, as revealed by Hybe, searches for trips to Seoul from overseas jumped by 155 per cent right after BTS announced their world tour last January 13, which covers North America, Europe, South America, and Asia, including chaotic, little old Manila. (Maybe sweetie pie j-hope put in a good word for his enthusiastic audiences after his solo concert here, despite the ticket reselling fiascos, and thanks to the crispy pata). Searches for Busan increased by several thousand percent, as well.
BTS on their recent GQ cover
All of which goes to show that ARMYs have waited long enough, and are excited beyond comprehension to see the boys again. Good luck, sincerely. If your stomach and stamina can’t handle the exertion, though, older ARMYs, there’s always livestreaming in cinemas and on the Weverse shop (which every ARMY knows about), which starts on April 9, at US$42.50 for a single view.
