2026 has become a very successful year for the international, worldwide famous kpop group BTS. From their anticipated return from the military and their recent comeback album Arirang! Arirang symbolized a return of BTS with a deep korean cultural sound and style was an immediate major hit. Once announced with a world tour amidst their comeback, ARMY were determined to see BTS since the cancellation of their last tour due to covid.
Fans were excited to see all 7 members again on one stage singing new songs and old loved classics. The setlist was set as follows: Hooligans, Aliens, Run BTS, They don’t know ‘bout us’, Like Animals, Fake Love, Swim, Merry Go Round, 2.0, Normal, Not Today, Mic Drop, FYA, Fire, Body to Body, Idol, Come over, Butter, Dynamite, (Encore SURPRISE SONG) Please & Into the sun.
From planning the outfits to weekend events the countdown to BTS World Tour Arirang was set. From getting dressed to walking to the stadium it did not feel real. When I was 14 years old learning BTS dances in front of my tv to now finally seeing them in-person the excitement was building up inside of me. Talking to other ARMY in line, getting freebies and talking about our favorite BTS memes felt like a dream come true.
The show was amazing to say the least, the set was stunning with a circle stage that reached out so everyone all around the stadium could see each member of the group. The lighting and visuals on the screens were so breathtaking. The entire stadium lit up with Army bombs flashing colors to match the screens. Once the first dancer ran onto the stage with a flare in hand, we all rose to our feet screaming. Additional dancers ran on the stage holding flares, flags, banners dancing across the stage as was also shown on the screen one by one.
That entire weekend, it did not feel real until I saw them all on stage. Years of music videos, interviews, stages and Run Bts I was seeing in front of my face. From debut to now, all the years in the making I finally saw BTS. They brought the energy to the stage. Their stage presence was incredible, how they sang and danced in front of the fans and camera. Even them in their own world on stage dancing to the original choreo. I was excited to hear songs from their recent album, but I was more excited to hear the songs I grew up with.
The hot topic amongst fans was which encore song were we going to get? The whole tour at the end of the show Namjoon would get the crowd hyped saying “DJ Spin that!!” and a song not on the setlist would be performed by the group. It could be from “Dark and Wild” to their last recent album “Proof”.
From all of social media ARMY made a list from all of the songs they have played in recent stops and what could possibly be played the night of the show! It had become a trend to record your reactions to the surprise song being played for the night on the tour. At that moment the entire crowd became silent and anticipated what song it could be. I went to Arlington Day two, and for our encore song we got “Butterfly” and “DNA”.
I was a bit nervous, thinking of all the songs that they already sang. I had a small list of songs I would LOVE to hear them perform and was very happy we got Butterfly and DNA. Even as the show was coming to an end I didn’t feel the ‘Post Concert Depression’ . It’s like a full circle moment. I have been going to kpop concerts since 2017, and I wanted to see BTS at least once and I did! It was like still riding off the adrenaline from a rollercoaster, replaying moments in my head and looking at the videos I captured on my phone.
BTS with their tour still breaking records for the most sold out shows, sold out arenas and more. The Arirang tour was a must see and I am incredibly grateful I was able to see it with my own two eyes!
