Asia-Pacific

K-Pop Supergroup BTS Returns to the Stage

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By John Van Trieste/Devin Tsai

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BTS, one of K-Pop's biggest acts, has returned after a four-year hiatus while they did South Korea's mandatory military service. And they're back with a bang, releasing a new album and preparing for world tour.

BTS Comeback Sparks Global Excitement

 

REPORTER:  

B...T...S...the name of K-pop's hottest group spelled out in drones above Seoul’s night-time skyline. A four-year hiatus, while the group’s members did their mandatory military service, is finally over. And there’s a comeback album to boot—named “Arirang” after one of Korea’s best-loved folk songs.

 

The silhouettes of the group’s seven members projected on Seoul’s famous Sungnyemun Gate shows the national status they’ve reached. BTS=South Korea.

 

I've been [part of the BTS fan] army for a long time, so I've waited for a really long time. I'm sorry. I've been looking forward to this concert for so long, and the new songs are even better than I expected, so I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's concert.

 

REPORTER:  

But the number of foreign fans who’ve come to Seoul to celebrate the return of their idols is striking. BTS is one of the trailblazers that made South Korean pop a global phenomenon, starting in Asia and now far beyond.

 

The Light Show, it was a bit short. But I think it's a teaser for their upcoming album. I think it will give the fans a glimpse, and I think it will make them to be more excited for the upcoming album.

 

Actually we still didn't have the opportunity to listen to their new album, so we're pretty much very excite. It's also a very good opportunity to be here in Seoul in South Korea for the BTS comeback.

 

REPORTER:  

And even fans unable to make it to Seoul are gathering wherever they can—like this meetup in London, where many have been up for hours waiting to buy the new album.

 

I specifically put my alarm down from, like 7 a.m. to make sure I come here because I knew there's going to be a queue, and I still woke up much earlier than the alarm, because I was so, so excited to hear it (the album). It's been, you know, four years, we’ve been waiting for four years.

 

REPORTER:  

The supergroup’s triumphant return is just getting started. A world tour starts April 9 in South Korea and will go on to 33 other cities across the world. One of Asia’s biggest acts is back.

 

Devin Tsai and John Van Trieste for TaiwanPlus.