BTS Rocks Arirang Tour Kickoff in Goyang Despite Torrential Rain
BTS Rocks Arirang Tour Kickoff in Goyang Despite Torrential Rain
BTS storms the Arirang kickoff in Goyang Stadium, braving heavy rain with new hits and fan favorites, complete with pyrotechnics and high-energy choreography.
Tens of thousands of BTS fans braved torrential rain to witness the group’s official Arirang tour kickoff at Goyang Stadium, just outside Seoul. The weather couldn’t dampen the spectacle as the septet powered through a set that included nearly every track from the new Arirang collection alongside a string of past hits. Pyro flared, lasers cut through the drizzle, and the show kept moving in a stadium-round layout so every one of the 40,000 fans could catch a moment with the members.
The performance boasted bold remixes and crowd-pleasing moments. The remix of Wings’ “Not Today” had the group strutting the stage with lights flashing around them, culminating in a chorus of “Hey!” followed by a burst of energy as the gear-up climax hit. The set also featured a more pyrotechnic take on “Fire,” while the “Mic Drop” remix kept the adrenaline high without the band dropping their mics at the finale. The choreography stayed sharp, with the group looping through movements in the round so the audience could witness a member up close, regardless of where they stood.
There were tiny, memorable moments that highlighted the band’s bond with fans and their resilience. V’s playful tumble into a pose that mimicked swimming became a talking point, RM teased a playful warning to the crowd, and Suga likened the venue to “a water park” as rain continued to fall. Jimin, soaked down to his underwear, joked about finally getting to see the fans again after years apart, noting how four years had passed since their last reunion due to mandatory military service in South Korea. The energy in the stadium spoke for the fans, who showed up in force to welcome the group back to the live stage after the hiatus.
The kickoff marked a landmark moment: the first stadium show since the group’s four-year pause for national service, setting the tone for a marathon world tour that will bring their ARIRANG era to cities around the globe. Enthusiasm stayed high as the members acknowledged the long-awaited moment, promising more surprises and a continued connection with the audience as the tour progresses.
