Ahead of their concerts in Mexico City as part of a world tour promoting their studio album “Arirang,” K-pop sensations BTS met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum at the country’s presidential palace. Following their meeting, the group appeared on the main balcony of the palace to greet a massive crowd of local fans gathered there to welcome them to Mexico.
On Wednesday, Sheinbaum shared a photo she took with the group on Instagram, writing, “I am delighted to welcome BTS, one of the most beloved groups among the young people of Mexico.”
“Music and values unite Mexico and South Korea,” she added.
The photo showed Sheinbaum standing alongside BTS members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook at the National Palace in Mexico City. Another photo showed RM speaking to a crowd of fans from the balcony of the presidential palace.
That morning, Sheinbaum praised BTS during her regular morning press conference, saying the group consistently delivers a message of “friendship, peace, and love.”
BTS made an appearance on the main balcony of the Mexican National Palace that day to greet some 50,000 fans who had gathered in the Zócalo square in front of the palace to catch a glimpse of the group and cheer them on.
BTS’ visit to Mexico is part of their “Arirang” world tour. The group will hold three standalone concerts at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All three shows sold out shortly after tickets went on sale.
Calling BTS’ concerts in Mexico a “historic event,” Sheinbaum even sent a letter to President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea in January requesting that the group hold more shows in the country.
The group’s agency, BigHit Music, said the Mexico City Chamber of Commerce expects the concerts to generate an economic impact of around US$107.5 million.
