BTS Returns with Comeback Concert in Seoul After 4-Year Hiatus

K-pop supergroup's highly anticipated return draws massive crowds, global streaming

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:17pm

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After a four-year break, K-pop supergroup BTS returned on Saturday with a massive, free comeback concert in Seoul, South Korea, drawing tens of thousands of fans. The hourlong performance at Gwanghwamun Square launched a global tour spanning dozens of shows across the United States, Europe and Asia, which analysts say could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter. The concert came after the group released its fifth album, 'ARIRANG,' which sold nearly 4 million copies in its first day.

Why it matters

BTS' return as a full group is a highly anticipated event, as the band has a legion of global supporters and has become one of the world's biggest pop acts. The concert and album release mark the group's comeback after members completed their mandatory military service in South Korea, and the event is expected to further boost the global popularity of K-pop.

The details

The BTS concert featured all seven members of the band - RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook - and included the performance of songs from their new album 'ARIRANG.' Officials expected the concert to draw more than 200,000 people to the Gwanghwamun area, including 22,000 fans who secured free seats in the designated viewing zone. The show was streamed live on Netflix.

  • The BTS concert took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • BTS members began serving their mandatory military service in 2022, with Suga the last to complete his service in June 2025.

The players

BTS

A popular South Korean K-pop boy band consisting of seven members: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook.

RM

The leader of the K-pop group BTS.

Lee Jae Myung

The President of South Korea, who expressed hope that the BTS concert would promote the country's culture and growing soft power.

HYBE

The management company for the K-pop group BTS.

Jung Dukhyun

A pop culture commentator who said the impact of BTS' return as a full-group would be tremendous at a time when global fandom for K-pop has grown much stronger.

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What they’re saying

“Annyeonghaseyo! We're back”

— RM, Leader of BTS

“It will be amazing because it's been so long that BTS (was) not with us”

— Dallila Di Tullio, 32-year-old fan from Italy

“They had a fairly long hiatus but still have a historically powerful fandom. I think they'll likely have a second heyday.”

— Ha Jae-keun, Cultural critic

What’s next

The BTS 'ARIRANG' world tour is planned to span 82 shows globally in stadiums of around 50,000 seats, which analysts say could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue per quarter.

The takeaway

BTS' highly anticipated comeback concert in Seoul marks the return of one of the world's biggest pop acts, further cementing K-pop's global rise and the enduring power of the group's devoted fanbase. The event showcases South Korea's growing cultural influence and soft power on the global stage.