Group BTS's comeback concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun will meet viewers around the world. Netflix, which is handling the broadcast, described the show as "the greatest party on Earth." It pledged to marshal large-scale production capabilities to deliver a new kind of live experience. BTS will meet the public as a complete group for the first time in 3 years and 9 months at Gwanghwamun, a venue with major symbolic significance.
On the 20th, Netflix held a media briefing for "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang (ARIRANG)" in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Brandon Riegg, Netflix vice president (VP) of nonfiction series and sports, executive producer Garrett English, Yoo Dong-ju, APAC head of HYBE Music Group, and Kim Hyun-jeong, VP of BigHit Music, attended.
Netflix will broadcast live the "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang" stage at 8 p.m. on the 21st at Gwanghwamun Square. It is Netflix's first live broadcast of a music performance and the first live event to be transmitted worldwide from Korea.
VP Brandon said, "First, Netflix is honored to partner with BTS and a landmark." He went on, "Netflix planned live events to delight the world and could not miss tremendous moments," adding, "HYBE and BTS likely felt the appeal of a global platform through Netflix, and we are proud to join hands and deliver such events to viewers around the world."
Netflix chose BTS for its first live music broadcast content. It extended the experience and success that had drawn global attention with Korean content into music. VP Brandon said, "This is in line with how Netflix has showcased Korean content," and added, "Is there anything more meaningful than BTS and a concert? Doing it in the historic space of Gwanghwamun makes it even more special, and it will create opportunities for BTS and fans in multiple countries to experience it live on site in real time."
The BTS concert also drew major interest because it will be held in the heart of downtown Seoul. Yoo Dong-ju, APAC head of HYBE Music Group, said, "The BTS comeback aligns with HYBE's vision." Yoo said, "We placed importance on a vision of expanding the fan experience, and the experience of Koreans and foreigners all toasting together and enjoying a concert is culturally very rare," adding, "Chairman Bang Si-hyuk said that if BTS, which started in Korea and became a global star, were to make a comeback, the starting point should be Korea, and it should be in a symbolic space of Korea."
Director Hamilton, known as a master of live staging, oversaw the show. He has captivated global fans' eyes and ears with stages such as the Oscars, the U.S. Super Bowl halftime show, the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, and performances by Madonna and Beyoncé. For the BTS concert, a filming system built with 23 cameras will capture the stage, and special cameras will be added to deliver an even more three-dimensional picture.
Executive producer Garrett English noted, "While realizing BTS's vision, we sought to create a harmonious stage that respects the history of Gwanghwamun." English added, "We worked to highlight the precious locations of Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung while infusing BTS's modern sensibility," and explained, "We considered how to make the stage space as dynamic as possible and paid attention to harmony with the historic setting."
On the 27th, Netflix will also release the comeback documentary "BTS: The Return." Director Bao Nguyen, who helmed the Netflix documentaries "Stutz" and "The Greatest Night in Pop," directed it.