Written By: Hermione Kwok
SEOUL – They left as global K-pop princes and returned as veterans. On March 21, 2026, BTS staged one of the most unconventional comebacks in K-pop history. Instead of performing inside a domed stadium, they performed in the open air of Gwanghwamun Square, with the illuminated gates of Gyeongbok Palace as their own witness.
The occasion was to launch their fifth studio album, Arirang, released one day before their concert. It was their first full-group project since all seven members completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, which ended in June 2025 with SUGA’s discharge.
A Comeback With Historical Weight
Rather than a typical idol showcase, the hour-long Netflix livestream felt more like a cultural ceremony. The group arrived along the same route once walked by the Joseon kings, accompanied by traditional musicians from the National Gugak Center singing the original “Arirang” folk song.
The new single “Body to Body” — the night’s first opening number —directly interpolates “Arirang” in its closing moments. The overall message was unmistakable to many: BTS was weaving itself back into Korea’s cultural fabric.
RM, the leader of BTS, performed much of the set standing or in a stool after injuring his ankle during rehearsals. Other members adjusted the choreography around him, turning a potential liability into an unscripted moment of unity between members.
A 23 – Song Setlist Built for the Long Wait
The true scale of the comeback became very visible on April 9, 2026, when BTS launched their ARIRANG World Tour at Goyang Stadium. Despite the steady rain pouring down, tens of thousands of ARMY fans filled the venue for a 2.5-hour show that spanned 23 songs.
The setlist balanced the new with the beloved. Early tracks like “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” and “2.0” showcased the new album’s restless energy, while the deep cuts such as “Run BTS” and “Fake Love” reminded fans of why they waited. The night’s emotional peaks arrived later: “Body to Body” closed the main set as a triumphant anthem, followed by an encore of the global sensations “Butter” and “Dynamite” which sent the stadium into a singalong frenzy. Two moments, however, stood apart — Jimin and V revisiting the choreography of “I Need U,” a pointed gift to longtime supporters, and the first-ever live performance of the tender B-side “Come Over.”
Netflix and the Citywide Festival
HYBE has transformed central Seoul into “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL” from the dates of March 20 to April 19. Highlights included drone light shows over the Han River, media facades at N Seoul Tower, and a stamp rally connecting many of Seoul’s major landmarks.
Netflix has supported the comeback with BTS: The Return, a documentary released on March 27, 2026. Directed by Bao Nguyen, the film The Greatest Night in Pop captures the band’s post-military adjustment, including candid moments of RM admitting to anxiety about the hiatus and SUGA pushing for fewer English lyrics on the album.
Critical Response: Triumph with Caveats
Commercially, Arirang was an instant phenomenon: 4 million copies of vinyls, albums, and lightsticks sold on release day, with all 14 tracks occupying Spotify’s Global Top 14.
Critics, however, offered many mixed reviews about the album. Music critic Kim Do-heon noted that the album felt “too scattershot in its direction,” while Lim Hee-yun expressed disappointment that the Gwanghwamun livestream failed to convey the majesty of its held location, stating, “All you saw was the red Netflix logo against the dark background.”
Together Again
But none of that mattered at Goyang Stadium when the rain began falling harder and harder during “Mikrokosmos.” The camera caught Jin looking up at the raindrops, then out at the crowd of fans surrounding the stadium, none of whom had left. He didn’t wipe his face, he just kept on smiling and singing.
That is the major difference between a band that never stopped and one that was forced to pause. The seven men on that stage had carried rifles, stood guard duty, and lived without music for eighteen months. They had watched younger groups fill the space that they left. BTS always wondered, privately, if anyone would still be there to cheer them on after.
The rain and the roar answered.
When RM finally took that mic at the concert’s closing, he did not give a long speech. He did not promise forever or plead for patience from the fans. He simply lifted his hand, looked at the purple ocean stretching to the horizon, and said two words:
“Together Again.”
Not a question, but a fact: the uniforms are finally off. The folk song is theirs now, and BTS, against every odd that time and duty could throw at them, has finally come home.
Works Cited
The Express Tribune. “BTS fans express disappointment online after first ARIRANG world tour concert in Seoul.” 10 April 2026, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2602025/bts-fans-express-disappointment-online-after-first-arirang-world-tour-concert-in-seoul. Accessed 19 May 2026.
Jung-Gook, Lee. “BTS enters a new era — with some room for improvement.” Hankyoreh, 23 March 2026, https://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/1250683.html. Accessed 19 May 2026.
Park, Juwon. “BTS opens world tour in South Korea after hiatus for military service.” AP news, 9 April 2026, https://apnews.com/article/bts-world-tour-5ef0c4a7d3f4876d26cc879fa6153560. Accessed 19 May 2026.
Sherman, Maria. “Everything you need to know about the new BTS doc. The mostly-Korean language film offers an intimate look at BTS’s journey to their latest album.” Taipei Times, 27 March 2026, https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2026/03/27/2003854545. Accessed 19 May 2026.
Songhee Choi. “BTS comeback project turns Seoul into citywide ‘THE CITY ARIRANG’ festival.” AJP News Agency, 18 March 2026, https://www.ajupress.com/view/20260318000370935. Accessed 19 May 2026.
Stern, Bradley. “BTS Members Jimin, Jungkook, RM & V Discharged From Military Service.” Just Jared, 11 June 2025, https://www.justjared.com/2025/06/11/bts-members-discharged-from-military-service/. Accessed 19 May 2026.
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