All seven members of the global pop sensation BTS took the stage together Saturday, March 21, for the first time since 2022, marking their official return to the spotlight following the completion of their mandatory military service. The “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang” concert, held at Gwanghwamun Square, was broadcast live by Netflix to approximately 190 countries. That was how BTS ended four years of silence in Seoul.
The performance served as the launch for the group’s fifth studio album, Arirang, which shattered industry records by selling 3.98 million copies within its first 24 hours of release, according to Hanteo Chart, the most important music rankings in South Korea.
A historic backdrop for a global reunion
Set against the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace, the event drew a massive physical presence to central Seoul. While police and city officials estimated a crowd of approximately 42,000 in the immediate vicinity, the group’s label, HYBE, reported that 104,000 fans gathered across the venue and its perimeter. Before the show, authorities had prepared for as many as 260,000 attendees, leading to a massive security mobilization of 15,000 personnel.
According to streaming data from FlixPatrol, the Netflix broadcast reached the top three in every monitored market and became the most-watched production on the platform in more than 70 countries over the weekend.
Overcoming the hiatus
BTS members (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook) suspended group activities in 2022 so each member could complete mandatory military service, a requirement for all eligible men in South Korea. The last member completed his service in June 2025. The group then reconvened in Los Angeles to record “Arirang.”
The evening was marked by emotional addresses to the “Army,” the group’s global fandom. J-Hope spoke candidly about the transition: “There were moments when we asked ourselves if you would still remember us,” he told the cheering crowd.
Despite an ankle injury that required him to perform seated during several segments, group leader RM emphasized the significance of the moment, telling fans, “It’s been a long journey, but we’re finally here.”
Documentary and world tour
Following the live event, Netflix will premiere the documentary BTS: The Return on March 27. Directed by Bao Nguyen, the film chronicles the creative process behind the new album and the members’ transition back to civilian life.
After BTS ended four years of silence in Seoul, the group is now preparing for the “Arirang World Tour,” an ambitious 82-concert run across 34 cities. While dates for North America, Europe, and Asia have been confirmed, fans in Latin America are awaiting final venue details for October stops in Bogota, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo.
A legacy of records
BTS holds 12 Billboard Music Awards wins and became the first Asian act to win Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards. After five Grammy nominations across four ceremonies between 2021 and 2023, the group has not won the award.
With their YouTube channel surpassing 70 million subscribers and a combined social media following exceeding 100 million, the 2026 comeback reinforced BTS’s position as the primary driver of the Korean Wave. For fans in Colombia, the Netflix stream began at 6:00 a.m. local time on March 21. The broadcast confirmed that the biggest name in K-pop is back.
Following the success of the live broadcast, Netflix will premiere the documentary ‘BTS: The Return’ next week, on March 27. The film follows the band members as they reunite to write and record their new album, three years after announcing their hiatus from the global stage. The documentary provides an intimate look at the creative process that defined their 2026 comeback.