K-pop sensation BTS is preparing for a global concert tour in April, their first tour since completing South Korea’s mandatory military service. Fans worldwide scrambled to secure tickets as the tour’s opening shows went on sale Thursday.
The band has been on hiatus since 2022 while its seven members served in the military. Now, excitement is building with the announcement of their new album, Arirang, set for release in March.
“I flew all the way to Korea just to get the tickets, and it was all worth it,” said 34-year-old Joanna Marie at an internet cafe in Seoul. “I’ve been waiting for them a very long time. Seeing them again feels like a dream.”
The tour will kick off on April 9 at Goyang Stadium in South Korea and will include 79 shows across Asia, the U.S., and Europe through July, according to the band’s agency.
Fans rushed to the first ticket sales, with some traveling to Seoul to use the city’s fast internet. “We all waited a long time, and now that it’s happening, let’s hope everyone gets what they want,” said 20-year-old Valentina Le Pera.
BTS’ last album, Proof (2022), topped charts in 18 countries and has accumulated around 16.7 billion streams globally. With their return, fans and industry experts expect high demand for both the album and the tour.
The band’s comeback marks a major moment for K-pop, showing the continued global influence of BTS as they prepare to reconnect with their fans, known collectively as the “Army.”
