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BTS to host comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square after 4-year hiatus, new song 'Swim' top charts in 1 hour
ARMYs could spend a lifetime watching them.
March 21, 2026, 01:55 PM
Global K-pop boy group BTS has made a full-group comeback after a four-year hiatus.
They released their fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” on Mar. 20 and the title track "Swim" has topped the Korean music chart Melon’s Top 100 in just one hour.
The group previously made history in 2022 as the first act to hit number one on the chart within an hour of its release with “Yet to Come”.
The album also sold about 3.98 million copies on its first day, according to local album sales tracker Hanteo.
Free concert at Gwanghwamun Square
The group will mark the occasion with a free outdoor concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Mar. 21 at 8pm (Korea time).
The show will be BTS’ first major performance in South Korea as a full seven-member lineup since completing their mandatory military service.
Gwanghwamun Square is a historical landmark in Seoul that is closely tied to the nation’s history and civic life, and is expected to lend added symbolic meaning to their return.
Fans around the world can also catch the concert through a planned global livestream on Netflix.
260,000 visitors expected
In anticipation of the concert, fans have already been spotted gathering at the venue as the stage was being set up.
Authorities estimate that up to 260,000 visitors could converge on the Gwanghwamun and City Hall area throughout the day, The Korea Times reported.
Fans have also begun filling nearby hotels, cafes and tourist attractions since the early morning of Mar. 21.
About 22,000 ticket holders will be admitted to the main concert zone, which features a standing pit and limited seating in front of a large outdoor stage.
Many more are expected to watch from surrounding streets and designated viewing areas equipped with large LED screens.
In preparation for the massive turnout, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has rolled out extensive crowd control measures, The Korea Times reported.
Some roads near Gwanghwamun Square have been partially closed since earlier this week, while subway operators are expected to implement contingency plans, including temporarily bypassing stations and increasing train frequency.
Hundreds of safety personnel, medical teams and volunteers will also be deployed to manage crowd flow and respond to emergencies.
Top photos from Big Hit and otaku_caco/X
