BTS's agency, Big Hit Music, has clarified details for the group's comeback live event tied to their new album ARIRANG. The one-hour performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026, was not shortened due to government restrictions, according to the agency. The event coincides with closures of nearby landmarks to manage expected crowds of up to 260,000 fans.
BTS is set to release their fifth full-length album, ARIRANG, on March 20, 2026, at 1 p.m. KST, featuring 14 tracks. The following day, March 21, the group will hold the 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG' event at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, starting at 8 p.m. KST. This free public outdoor performance will last one hour and premiere songs from the album.
Big Hit Music addressed rumors on February 28, stating that the duration was decided internally after considering factors such as the outdoor space's characteristics, audience safety, site control, public transportation convenience, and late-night noise levels. "The Seoul Metropolitan Government never limited the duration of BTS’s Gwanghwamun Square performance to one hour. The length of the performance was decided by Big Hit Music," the agency clarified.
The event will feature BTS members walking through the three gates of Gwanghwamun—starting at the restored Gwanghwamun Wall, passing Heungnyemun and Geunjeongmun gates, and moving past King Sejong’s statue before reaching the main stage in the square's center. It will be streamed live worldwide on Netflix, marking the platform's first Korea-based live event and the first of its kind at Gwanghwamun Square.
To ensure safety amid expectations of 260,000 ARMY attendees, Gyeongbokgung Palace will close to regular visitors on March 21. Nearby sites, including the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, will also suspend operations, with planned activities canceled or rescheduled. On-site arrangements include standing and reserved seating areas, plus large LED screens for better visibility.
The anticipation has already impacted Seoul's tourism, with hotel booking sites reporting high demand due to the 'BTS Effect.'
