BTS launched the kickoff of their activities in the United States at New York's Pier 17, where renowned artists have performed.
BTS held a special event, "Spotify X BTS: SWIMSIDE," on the rooftop of Pier 17 in New York on the 24th and met with local fans. The event was a fan event planned jointly by global audio and music streaming platform Spotify and BTS to commemorate the release of their fifth full-length album "Arirang" (ARIRANG). It was the first time in about six years that the seven members visited New York together as a complete group since the 2018 BTS world tour "Love Yourself."
The excitement before the performance was exceptional. Audience members voluntarily sang the new album track "Body to Body" while waiting for BTS. In particular, the song included the traditional Korean folk song "Arirang," and familiar choruses such as "arirang gogaero neomeoganda" were naturally sung in unison. The scene spread online and became a big topic.
That day BTS wore outfits highlighted with traditional Korean ornaments such as norigae, tasseled sashes, and bat-pattern brooches paired with leather jackets and jeans. After greeting the fans who filled the venue, they said, "This is a symbolic place where legendary artists have performed. We are very honored to mark the start of our U.S. activities here." Pier 17 is famous as a venue where Jay-Z and Eminem, among others, have performed.
The members held a live Q&A with the audience, sharing updates and talking about the album. Introducing the title track "SWIM," they said, "It contains the meaning of continuing to move forward without stopping even when facing waves of difficult situations and emotions. We wanted to convey the message of moving forward as if overcoming everything." As they immediately performed "SWIM," the crowd's cheers reached a peak.
BTS continued the heat by performing the album tracks "NORMAL" and "2.0" in succession. The members said, "We are truly happy to perform in the United States again after a long time and feel the fans' cheers and energy in person." In fact, it had been about four years since BTS last visited the United States, following the April 2022 BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE ON STAGE - LAS VEGAS.
BTS is scheduled to appear as a group on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which will air at 12:35 p.m. on the 27th.
Meanwhile, BTS's new release is continuing to perform strongly on the charts. Arirang took three crowns on Japan's Oricon charts released on the 25th, topping the weekly combined album ranking, weekly album ranking and weekly digital album ranking. "SWIM" held the No. 1 spot for four consecutive days on Spotify's Daily Top Songs Global (March 24).
[Photo] BigHit Music
[OSEN]