Fan Wang
BBC News, Singapore

Tonight felt defined less by perfection and more by emotion. The early tension - anticipation over the comeback’s success, worries about the weather, and the spotlight on the members’ recent comments about pressure - gradually gave way to something lighter, warmer.

Despite earlier concerns, RM appeared on stage without a cast, a reassuring sight for fans. While the rain may have limited the kind of powerful, tightly synchronised choreography that BTS are famous for, it didn’t dampen the connection between the group and their audience.

Throughout the show, all seven members repeatedly expressed how grateful they were - not just for the support, but for the chance to perform in front of fans again. That feeling was clearly mutual.

As concertgoer Park Su-bin tells us: "The 360-degree stage was so refreshing and brilliant, and the staging tailored to it. It’s a shame it rained, but I think it’ll still be a special memory."

We're closing this page now. You can read our music correspondent's review of the concert here.

Image source, Getty Images

Besides their chart-topping hits, BTS has achieved a longevity rarely seen in the K-pop world, where groups have come and gone, and where member exits are common.

Many say close-knit chemistry is what’s powering BTS – despite having taken time off for solo projects and mandatory military service, all seven of them are committed to staying together, often referring to one another as “family”.

In recent interviews, the band’s members have shared their desire to continue performing together in their older years.

“We’re still here because we love each other so much. With fans and no reason to quit this precious brand and family, these people are my youth itself,” leader RM told an Apple Music Radio programme a day after their latest album dropped.

Their strong bond was on full display during their comeback concert in Seoul March - when the other six members danced around RM, who sat on a stool because of an ankle injury.

And it was also on display tonight, as they joked and goofed around on stage, with Jin bringing towels for the others, and Jimin even helping V towel his hair.

It is this chemistry – how they genuinely enjoy one another’s company – that fans love, and perhaps, envy.

Yuna Ku
Reporting from Goyang

Image source, Getty Images

The cold rain that fell throughout more than two hours of the concert only intensified the heat and emotion inside the venue.

The group’s belted out past hits in the latter half of tonight's show, pulling the crowd into a wave of long-awaited nostalgia. Fans' chanting grew louder with each track, echoing across the stadium, often overpowering the music.

One of the biggest moments of tonight was during the unexpected performance of "I Need U", a track from 2015 that marked an early turning point in the group’s career. The reaction was immediate and explosive, as fans erupted into one of the loudest cheers of the night.

As the show unfolded, both the members and fans got more emotional. This became more clear when each member took turns to talk – at length – to the fans.

“The past years were such a pain, not being able to see you,” Jimin admitted, while RM said, “More than anything, having all seven of us together is what matters most.”

The exchange felt deeper and more personal than their first comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square last month, where the smaller scale and time constraints left little room for such intimacy.

Tonight felt like a true return – not just of the global megastars, but of a much-beloved group.

Image source, Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

We're getting more raving reviews from fans.

“It’s so good, I don’t even know where to start,” one of them wrote on X.

Some said they were moved to tears after the show.

"I hope the members don’t worry about the rain or whether we had fun - we did," one wrote.

"We’ve cried at so many concerts before, but tonight, maybe because of the rain, everything felt more exciting and we cried less."

It rained throughout the day but BTS members took it in their stride, joking about the weather to keep the mood light.

J-Hope, for example, playfully mimicked swimming actions on stage. "Keep swimming," he said with a smile.

Goyang has already hosted major global acts like Coldplay and Blackpink. Last year, BTS member J-Hope also performed at the Goyang Stadium, drawing around 54,000 visitors to the city.

The stadium holds about 40,000 people and is especially convenient for overseas fans. It’s located close to Korea’s two main airports, Incheon and Gimpo, making access relatively easy. It’s also worth noting that BTS leader RM is from this city.

But some critics argue BTS may not have had much choice given that the country's largest concert venue, Jamsil Sports Complex, is currently under construction.

South Korea has been grappling with a lack of proper concert halls, with artistes frequently using sports complexes as alternatives. Some fans say this is why global stars choose to bypass the country on world tours.

Image source, Hosu Lee/BBC

Here's a closer look at the numbers around BTS's latest album Arirang and the world tour that's just kicked off tonight.

Image source, BTS

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

According to Billboard, BTS and their record label Big Hit Music stand to make more than $1bn (£740m) from this world tour. This figure includes not only ticket and album sales, but also a wide range of revenue streams such as merchandise, licensing, and streaming revenue.

The K-pop industry has long been creative in finding ways to generate income. For this comeback, BTS has already staged a one-hour performance livestreamed on Netflix, as well as released a documentary on the album’s creative process, also on the streaming platform.

Some analysts have even suggested that their brand power could rival the $2.1bn Taylor Swift pulled in with her Eras Tour. That, of course, will depend on how many dates BTS ultimately add - the number currently stands at 85. Swift’s tour spanned 149 dates across five continents.

Mark Savage
Music correspondent

Image source, BTS/ X

It must have been a Herculean effort to keep the show going in such appalling conditions, but RM, Suga, Jin, J-Hope, V, Jungkook and Jimin never flagged. Even if, as Jimin remarked, he was “soaked to his underwear”.

I was surprised at how heavily the setlist leaned on their latest album, Arirang. All but one of the new songs was performed, and many of the older tracks were repurposed to fit the sound of BTS’s new music.

It’s a sign of how confident they are with the material, and the band’s latest reinvention. And, I have to admit, the music sounded incredible on stage.

Even some of the weaker songs – I’m looking at you, Normal – gained a bit of an edge in a live setting, with Jin’s raspy vocals a particular highlight.

It’ll be interesting to see whether BTS make any tweaks after the first show, but this was a polished, triumphant comeback.

BTS is now officially back, and it was a moment so many fans had been waiting for.

Earlier in the day, they spoke to us outside Goyang Stadium to share their excitement for watching the band perform a full-blown concert for the first time since 2022.

Fans' reactions are tricking in now. Many said they were “amazed” by the fireworks that wrapped up the concert, with many sharing videos on social media.

Some even joked they “should have paid for all three days” of the live stream.

Others also urged fellow fans not to buy counterfeit hoodies, noting that leader RM had already said official merchandise will be released soon.

While the excitement is still fresh, let's revisit some moments from the later part of tonight's show.

The rain, forecast to end at 19:00, continued throughout the concert.

"This will be remembered in many years," Suga said. "We don't like the weather either, but it was such a great performance. Hope we will go forward together for a long long time."

J-Hope asked fans what they thought of tonight's performance, and received a wave of screams in response.

The first concert of BTS's marathon world tour has just wrapped up - one down, and 84 more to go.

Tracks from their new album Arirang dominated the two-and-half hour show. They began in the downpour with the hip-hop-heavy Hooligan and ended the night on a contemplative note, with Into the Sun, as the rain continued. Scattered through the show were familiar crowd-pleasers, from old hits like Idol to the more recent Butter.

The fans seemed to love every minute of it, screaming, chanting the names of the seven members, waving their light sticks and singing along.

Image source, Getty Images

"Please be careful when you go home," the members said as they thanked their fans and wrapped up the concert.

"I will follow you into the sun," they sang as they walked off the stage, waving their goodbyes as fireworks lit up the sky.

Now they're singing Into the Sun, one of their new tracks which critics have called experimental and fun.

Image source, Getty Images

"This is our last song", says RM, and invites fans to sing along as they go into Please, a mellow track from Arirang.

Each member experiences the group differently, leader RM said.

“But we’re lucky and grateful to be together on stage for this concert,” he said.

RM also revealed that the hoodies worn by the group - the ones that scream "keep swimming" - will soon be released as official fan merchandise.

Image source, Getty

Jin has called this “an unforgettable moment” to kick off their world tour.

"I’m happy and honoured to have you as our fans," he said.

Jimin said the past four years had been "painful" as they had little contact with their fans, and that he’s glad to be reunited with them. Fans cheered as he promised even better performances ahead.

The members are now taking turns to share their thoughts. Some of them are sitting down on stage. The rain is still not letting up.

Jin brought towels to other members to wipe rain off their faces.

"The rain doesn't seem to stop," he said.

The members appear to be enjoying themselves while performing I Need U. They roam around the stage, with Jin exchanging heart gestures with fans. Other members danced with the tune, with big smiles on their faces.

Image source, Getty Images