BTS’s large-scale comeback show is drawing international attention.
On the 19th, AP reported from Seoul that “BTS is holding their long-awaited comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square, one of Seoul’s most famous landmarks and a symbolic center of politics and culture.”
AP further emphasized that “Gwanghwamun Square, located in the heart of Seoul, is home to statues of historical figures like King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and was the site of protests during the martial law declaration by former president Yoon Suk-yeol in 2024.” The show will be broadcast live on Netflix worldwide, “reaffirming BTS’s identity as a group that started in Korea and expanded onto the global stage.”
Reuters highlighted the Gwanghwamun performance as a major news story, reporting that the show in downtown Seoul could draw up to 260,000 people. Reuters suggested the event could be one of the city’s largest.
Bloomberg projected the economic impact of the Gwanghwamun Square comeback show alone to be around $177 million, based on potential spending on airfare, hotels, food, merchandise, and streaming services.
The UK’s The Guardian also covered the story, noting that “authorities have raised the terror alert level in some parts of the capital, and special forces will be deployed around the venue.”
The Guardian previously reported on BTS’s upcoming 82-show world tour, predicting an economic impact comparable to Taylor Swift’s tours, known as “Swift-nomics.” This term describes the significant local economic boost from her concerts, as her fan base flocks to each city, leading to surging local sales. The newspaper opined that BTS’s economic impact could rival America’s top pop star.
As BTS’s epic comeback show garners attention from both domestic and international media, anticipation is high for the new song BTS will unveil at Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st.
