BTS kicks off Arirang world tour with sold‑out Busan concerts

South Korean pop group BTS opened its "Arirang" world tour with two consecutive concerts at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The shows marked the group’s 13th debut anniversary and attracted roughly 110,000 fans each night, for a combined audience of about 220,000.

Both performances were delayed—first by technical issues and later by crowd‑management problems—but the delays did not dampen enthusiasm. BTS delivered a setlist that blended tracks from their new album with fan favourites, debuting the Korean version of “Normal” and the live premiere of “One More Night.” Members highlighted their personal ties to Busan, with Jimin noting his hometown roots.

HYBE later issued an apology for the venue delays and pledged operational improvements for the next concert. The concerts were praised for their blend of modern production and traditional Korean imagery, reinforcing BTS’s global stature while honoring their cultural heritage.