'BTS 2.0' opening concert at Gwanghwamun Plaza is approaching. ARMY fans from around the world are gathering one after another at Gwanghwamun Plaza.
At 8 p.m. on the 21st, the 'BTS comeback live: ARIRANG' concert will be held at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Jongno District, Seoul. Expectations are high because it is the first full-group BTS performance in about 3 years and 9 months, and the concert will be viewable worldwide on Netflix.
Returning after 3 years and 9 months, BTS decided early on to hold the concert at Gwanghwamun Plaza and invited ARMY fans from around the world to Korea. When BTS's fifth full-length album "Arirang" was released at 1 p.m. on the 20th, the excitement grew even hotter. According to Hanteo Chart on the 21st, "Arirang" sold 3.98 million copies on its first day of release and topped the daily chart. In particular, it became a million seller in about 10 minutes after release, showing how much ARMY around the world had been waiting for BTS.
With the album release, attention from around the world turned to Gwanghwamun Plaza. About 22,000 spectators are expected to attend this free comeback live. Ahead of the concert, experience-type offline events "BTS the city Arirang - Seoul" were also prepared around Seoul landmarks, including a drone light show and commemorative comeback videos played on 10 large outdoor screens around Gwanghwamun Plaza.
The concert will be broadcast live simultaneously to about 190 countries and regions through Netflix. Netflix will continue to collaborate to sustain the BTS comeback momentum by not only broadcasting the live event but also exclusively releasing on the 27th the documentary film BTS: the return, which covers the production process of "Arirang."
Although Gwanghwamun Plaza was full of festival energy on the 21st, security and safety were being thoroughly ensured. From the opposite side of the Gwanghwamun wall to City Hall Station on subway lines 1 and 2, a 1.2 km north-south and 200 m east-west area was surrounded by safety fences. To pass through the plaza, people had to go through 31 gates installed along the fence, and the gates were equipped with walk-through metal detectors to inspect and screen for dangerous items. Police deployed at the scene were conducting body and belongings checks.
Access by detour or rooftop viewing was blocked and entry to 31 surrounding buildings was also restricted to reduce the risk of falls and other safety accidents. With about 8,500 people reported to have gathered since dawn, the Seoul city government estimated that around 12 p.m. that day between 22,000 and 24,000 people had gathered near Gwanghwamun and Deoksugung. The 15,000 personnel deployed at the scene, including police, fire personnel and public officials, were further strengthening security and exercising caution.
BTS is scheduled to begin their world tour at Goyang Sports Complex on April 9, 11 and 12, and will meet fans around the world in 34 cities across 23 countries.
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