The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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A huge crowd of BTS fans packed into a stadium near Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday to see the K-pop supergroup kick off their long-awaited world tour.<\/p>\n
Returning to the stage after a nearly four-year hiatus, RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook will perform a set drawing on both their back catalogue and new album, ARIRANG <\/em>\u2014 their fifth, and the first since band members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service.<\/p>\nDespite pouring rain, Thursday’s crowd packed a stadium with a capacity of more than 40,000 for the show, which marks the group’s first headline tour performance since their 2021\u201322 Permission to Dance on Stage tour. <\/p>\n
The shows in South Korea, running through April 12, launch a global tour spanning dozens of dates across the United States, Europe and Asia, which analysts say could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter. <\/p>\n
PHOTOS | <\/strong><\/em>Fans gather for BTS world tour kickoff:<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\nThursday’s concert comes less than a month after BTS marked their comeback with a massive free concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square in front of more than 20,000 fans in person, and many more who tuned in to the livestream on Netflix.<\/p>\n
All seven members of BTS completed their mandatory military service, with Suga being the last to be discharged in June 2025. He reportedly served at government-related facilities and organizations instead of military camps, due to a shoulder injury.<\/p>\n
In South Korea, all able-bodied men between 18 and 28 years old are required by law to perform up to 21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.<\/p>\n
ARIRANG<\/em>, named after a centuries-old Korean folk song regarded as an unofficial anthem across the Korean peninsula, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The single Swim<\/em> also made it to the top of the charts.<\/p>\nWATCH | K-pop group BTS is officially back from multi-year hiatus:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
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K-pop group BTS is officially back from multi-year hiatus | Hanomansing Tonight<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
One of the biggest bands in the world, BTS, is making its comeback after a multi-year hiatus with a global tour and a new album. The K-pop band’s return kicks off Saturday at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, one of South Korea’s most famous landmarks.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\nBTS \u2014 short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, or “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” in Korean \u2014 debuted in June 2013 and launched with the hip-hop-heavy album 2 Cool 4 Skool<\/em>, releasing three full-length projects before really gaining momentum with their 2016 album, Wings<\/em>.<\/p>\nTheir global breakthrough came in 2017 when the song DNA<\/em> entered the Billboard Hot 100, making BTS the first Korean boy band to achieve such a feat. The song’s success was followed by a performance at the American Music Awards, further fuelling their international fan base.<\/p>\nThe band’s world tour heads to Tokyo next, before moving through North America, Europe, South America and Asia. BTS is set to play Australia in early 2027, with a final stop in Manila, Philippines, next March.\u200b<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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