A chorus of "Arirang" erupted in the heart of Japan.
BTS successfully concluded their world tour performance BTS WORLD TOUR "ARIRANG" IN TOKYO at Tokyo Dome on Apr. 17-18. It marked their return about seven years after the July 2019 LOVE YOURSELF : SPEAK YOURSELF tour. Both shows sold out early, drawing 110,000 spectators over the two days.
During "Not Today" and "MIC Drop," shouts that shook Tokyo Dome burst out, and the peak was the album track "Body to Body" from the new release "Arirang" (ARIRANG). When the melody of the Korean folk song "Arirang" embedded in that song played, everyone sang "Arirang" together. Earlier, HYBE chair Bang Si-hyuk predicted that an "Arirang chorus" echoing at overseas concerts would become the most "iconic moment" of this tour. That day the members also could not hide their expressions at the audience's voices.
It was striking to see the audience sing every lyric of global hits "Butter" and "Dynamite" without missing a line. In the "random song" segment, where they spontaneously sing older songs, they performed "Crystal Snow," a track from their 2017 Japanese single album No. 8, and "FOR YOU," from their 2015 Japanese single album No. 4. As original Japanese songs for local fans, the venue was filled with a deep afterglow. The members moved across the stage making eye contact with people and kept saying, "We haven't sung this in a long time. It feels so good."
BTS performed most of their remarks fluently in the local language and read letters they had carefully prepared. After conveying their sincerity, the members said, "Even though it's been a long time since we last met, you respond with the same cheers and smiles, which actually gives us strength. We missed you." They also said, "We often come to Tokyo as tourists and walk the streets and think, you live seeing these kinds of scenes. We are really so happy and honored to be able to come again. And we are happy. Thank you for waiting until now, and we truly love you," moving the audience.
Meanwhile, BTS will move their stage to the United States. They will continue the tour at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Apr. 25-26 and 28.
[Photo] Big Hit Music (HYBE)
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