February 3rd, Netflix and HYBE Corporation announced that they will exclusively livestream (live broadcast) the program "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang" on Netflix at 8:00 PM on March 21st.
BTS's performance, set in the iconic Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul (Korea), was held on the occasion of the group releasing the highly anticipated new album "Arirang".
The management company BigHit Music said that this will be the first independent performance of a Kpop artist held at this location.
Previously, BTS performed with Geunjeongjeon Palace and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbok Palace, near Gwanghwamun Square, in the "BTS Week" special segment of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" (NBC, USA) in 2020.
This time, the program is expected to be broadcast live on Netflix to audiences in more than 190 countries - marking the first time a major event originating from Korea has been broadcast live globally through this platform.
BTS's fifth studio album "Arirang" includes 14 songs, confirmed to be released on March 20. The album is a profound reflection on the origin and identity of the group.
After the album is released, BTS is expected to launch a large-scale world tour called "BTS World Tour: Arirang (2026-2027)", with 82 performances in 34 regions, including Asia, North America, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East.
Netflix's documentary film "BTS: The Return" records the process of making the album "Arirang", which will be released on March 27.
BTS: The Return" brings a close and realistic look at BTS's comeback journey. The film records the group's creative process when reuniting in Los Angeles (USA) after building a global reputation since their debut in 2013.
The film vividly portrays the members facing questions like "how to start over" and "how to move forward, both cherishing the past but not being bound by it", when they return to the common creative space after a time of separation and personal changes.
Expectations for BTS's comeback are increasing. According to Korea Times, Seoul is preparing to welcome a large number of international tourists as BTS's comeback concert in Gwanghwamun Square is expected to create a major demand shock, causing hotels in the city center to be fully booked and travel searches to the capital to skyrocket.
The BTS effect is most clearly shown through data from major booking platforms. According to the domestic travel application Yeogi Otte, the number of bookings in Jongno and Jung districts during the weekend concerts increased sharply by 450% compared to the same period last year.
Global interest is even stronger when Hotels.com reported that Seoul's travel search abroad has skyrocketed by 155% in just 48 hours after the announcement of the performance was released on January 14.
