On the 21st, when BTS returned as a "full group" for the first time in about 3 years and 5 months, Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul turned purple with light sticks held by ARMY, the BTS fandom, who gathered from around the world.
Starting at 8 p.m. that day, BTS presented the stage "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG." When the members appeared on the screen on the woldae in front of Gwanghwamun, ARMY cheered.
Then the BTS members took the stage. The first song was track 1 of the new album ARIRANG, "Body to Body." It uses parts of the melody of the folk song "Arirang." The stage for "Hooligan," another track on the same album, followed.
Although the album ARIRANG was released at 1 p.m. the previous day, ARMY enjoyed the performance following the lyrics and fan chants they had learned in advance.
The BTS members greeted the crowd, saying, "We greet you like this for the first time in 4 years. We are BTS." Jin said, "I am grateful and happy to be able to meet you again." Jimin said, "I didn't expect you to fill Gwanghwamun Square to the brim; I am truly happy and thankful." Fans' cheers continued after each member's greeting.
◇ People of all ages, races, and nationalities gather as ARMY worldwide
From the morning, ARMY streamed into the Gwanghwamun Square area to wait for the show. Those who failed to get one of the 22,000 reserved seats waited all day around the safety control lines (fences) to secure spots as close as possible to the standing-area screens.
Jeong, a 10th-year ARMY who stayed up all night for the concert, 27, said, "Fans around the world have been waiting only for this day," and added, "With the comeback with the album ARIRANG, I sincerely congratulate you and will always cheer for you."
According to Seoul's real-time city data, as of 8 p.m. that day, the population in and around the venue was between 42,000 and 44,000. Real-time floating population is calculated based on signals from people using the telecom carriers KT and SK Telecom, adjusted for market share and other factors.
Given that many ARMY on site were foreigners, the actual floating population appears to be higher. In reality, not only Gwanghwamun Square but also Sejong-daero and City Hall Square were packed with ARMY.
The age range is diverse. By Seoul's tally, those in their 20s make up the largest share at 25.2%, followed by those in their 40s at 21.1%, 30s at 20.2%, and 50s at 16.5%. Those 60 and older account for 9.8%.
Police initially expected crowds of up to 260,000. That figure assumes two people per square meter from Gyeongbokgung to Sungnyemun. However, with the concert broadcast live worldwide via the video platform Netflix, it appears fewer people gathered at the venue than that.
◇ Extra trains added on subway lines 2, 3, and 5 from 10 p.m.
The concert is expected to run for about an hour. Police and other relevant agencies plan to focus on crowd control until attendees head home. Police urged people to move slowly along the edge of the crowd and to refrain from using smartphones while walking.
At City Hall Station on subway lines 1 and 2, Gyeongbokgung Station on line 3, and Gwanghwamun Station on line 5, non-stop train pass-throughs will be lifted sequentially from 10 p.m. that day. Four extra trains each will be added to lines 2, 3, and 5. Buses will operate normally from 11 p.m.