BTS, Korean fans reunite after 2.5 years

Seoul: Thousands fans of BTS has gathered in Seoul on Thursday (today) for the K-pop superstars' first live concert in South Korea since the pandemic began.

Although COVID-19 rules will prevent BTS fans—Army—from dancing or singing, many clad in purple sweatshirts, the official colour of BTS fandom crowded the venue, and filled the streets outside with banners of the band. 

The chart-topping septet's series of three concerts dubbed as "Permission to Dance on Stage - Seoul" kicked off at the Olympic Stadium.

Chanting, singing, screaming or even standing up are all banned, as South Korea battles an Omicron spike.

Just as with their Los Angeles (LA) gigs, the Seoul concerts will be packed with performances with only the seven members together, rather than solo and unit sessions as in usual world tours.

Moreover, armys around the world will also be invited to the Seoul edition through livestreaming video on the first and last days. 

Saturday’s concert will be available live at movie theaters around the world. 

K-pop band’s agency, Big Hit Music did not reveal the exact number of tickets sold, however, around 45,000 will be attending the three concerts in total.

This will be the largest in-person concert in Korea to take place since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020.

In 2020, BTS were forced to call off what was supposed to be their largest international tour, with almost 40 gigs, though they held some concerts online. 

In April, the K-POP band will continue their “PTD on Stage” tour in Las Vegas—throwing four shows at Allegiant Stadium on April 8-9 and 15-16, with all shows up for live viewing on a big screen at nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena. 

The April 16 show will also be livestreamed online.

Furthermore, ahead of their Las Vegas concerts, the band will visit the MGM Grand Garden in April to attend the ceremony of the 64th Grammy Awards. 

BTS has been nominated for best pop duo or group performance at the Grammy Awards for the 2021 megahit single “Butter”.