"We are so happy to be back. 'BTS 2.0' has just begun."
K-pop group BTS held their comeback concert "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul at 8 p.m. on the 21st. "It has been a long journey, but we finally stand here," the group said. "We wanted to show the most honest side of all seven of us through this album."
At the concert, BTS premiered new tracks including "Swim," the title song from their fifth studio album "ARIRANG," released the previous day. Standing tall at Gwanghwamun Square, a space symbolizing South Korea, the members said they were "truly honored to perform at Gwanghwamun, the most historic place in Korea."
This marks BTS's first performance as a complete group in three years and five months since "Yet to Come in BUSAN" in October 2022.
Jimin expressed gratitude to fans, saying, "I'm so happy that the seven of us can be together again like this. I missed you." J-Hope added, "I can't believe the seven of us are on this stage together."
The members also shared candid feelings about preparing the "ARIRANG" album. Jungkook smiled and said, "I don't think I'll ever forget tonight. To be honest, I felt pressure and fear about the comeback, but standing in front of all of you today, I just feel purely happy."
When members mentioned their hiatus, J-Hope recalled, "We did worry whether we might be forgotten, whether you would still remember us."
RM explained the album's direction: "At this turning point, I thought a lot about what choices to make and what kind of artist and creator I want to remain. I asked myself. The answer wasn't outside but rather inside." He continued, "Listening more closely to our own voices and openly expressing our thoughts, anxieties, and wandering—that was our goal for this album."
V introduced the title track "Swim," saying, "I believe that if we keep moving forward step by step without stopping—releasing music, performing, and showing ARMY our best—we will keep advancing. I hope this song can provide even a little comfort and strength to you."
With large crowds expected at BTS's comeback concert, the Gwanghwamun area was placed under tight security with police and firefighting personnel deployed. Some citizens voiced complaints about extended traffic controls, including subway trains passing through stations without stopping, bus route changes, and security checks on general pedestrians.
Addressing this, Suga said, "I want to thank Seoul Metropolitan Government, numerous staff members, and the police officers who worked so hard on site." Jimin also added, "We're sorry."
Having sung about swimming through life's waves in their title track "Swim," BTS emphasized twice during the concert that they would "Keep Swimming."
Jungkook said, "The seven of us always share the same heart. We will always do our best to bring you good music." RM added, "No matter what happens, we promise to 'Keep Swimming' together. Today is just the beginning."