BTS, returning as a full group for the first time in about four years, will hold a comeback show on the 21st at Gwanghwamun in Seoul, and the entire city is expected to be bathed in the group's new red-themed color.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said on the 16th that it will prepare a variety of welcome programs in partnership with HYBE for global fans, ARMY, visiting Seoul for the show.
The most eye-catching change will be to the lighting of major Seoul landmarks. From 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 20th, the comeback date, and on the 21st, the day of the concert, 15 landmarks across Seoul — including Sebitseom, Cheonggyecheon, Seoul Botanic Park, Namsan N Seoul Tower and Lotte World Tower — will light up in red all at once.
A Seoul city official, explaining why red was chosen instead of purple, said, "The color of the new album 'Arirang' is red, so we used red lighting at the request of HYBE, the organizer," adding, "The whole city will look like a giant concert stage."
Special events will be held not only with lighting but also along the Han River and throughout downtown.
A combination of LED lighting, music and a fountain stretching more than 1 kilometer will offer a spectacle to residents and tourists at Banpo Hangang Park.
From the 6th to the 19th of next month, about a 500-meter section from Ogansu Bridge to Beodeul Bridge along Cheonggyecheon will be decorated as the "Arirang Light Walk" (BTS THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL Cheonggyecheon walking trail), using BTS symbols to offer fans a special walking experience.
A "K-pop walking tour course" connecting BTS music video locations and HYBE (the agency) headquarters will also be created. It will operate along three routes: "Consolation of the Han River," "Song of Cheonggye," and "Arirang of the Square." Guided programs with cultural tourism interpreters will run twice, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations can be made on the walking tour website.