[Oh!Ssen issue] the group BTS (BTS) dyed Tampa purple and heralded the official start of their North American tour. The full-group North American tour, realized after a four-year hiatus, transformed the entire local city into a festival scene.
BTS opened the glittering curtain of 'BTS WORLD TOUR "ARIRANG" IN NORTH AMERICA' at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, U.S., on the 25th (local time). The tour drew explosive interest from ARMYs around the world as it marked the first full-group visit since their 2022 Las Vegas performance, about four years earlier.
Tampa city offered an unprecedented welcome to mark BTS's first visit. Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa posted a video of the old city hall bathed in purple light on social media and announced that major bridges in the city would be lit purple from the 25th through the 29th.
Tampa International Airport also greeted arriving fans by installing a large welcome message at the main terminal, and city authorities provided full support for the smooth progress of the festivities by controlling roads near the venue and setting up large merchandise booths.
BTS's visit has had a huge ripple effect on the local economy beyond a simple concert. Local outlet 10 Tampa Bay News predicted the concert would generate about $800 million to $900 million (approximately 1.2 trillion to 1.3 trillion won) in local economic impact.
Also, FOX 13 Tampa Bay aired a special program titled 'K-Pop: The Seoul Reach.' that took an in-depth look at the global influence of K-pop led by BTS and the spread of Korean culture as far as Florida, underscoring their stature.
After successfully launching three shows in Tampa, BTS will continue with a total of 31 performances across 12 North American cities including El Paso, Mexico City and New York. In particular, the El Paso Sun Bowl Stadium shows on May 2-3 will be the first solo concerts by a Korean singer at that venue, and BTS is expected to set a new milestone for K-pop wherever they go.
Already selling out every date and proving their ticket power, BTS's 'Arirang' melodies that will quench fans' thirst after four years are drawing worldwide attention as to how they will shake the North American continent.<
[photo] BigHit Music (HYBE)
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