BTS joked they were partly responsible for England’s recent World Cup knockout victory over Mexico as the K-pop supergroup made a triumphant return to London,.
The global sensation kicked off the first of a two-night residency at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking their highly anticipated comeback.
The “Arirang” tour, named after a beloved Korean folk tune, marks the end of a nearly four-year hiatus for the boyband. This break was largely necessitated by the seven members completing their country’s compulsory military service.
Towards the climax of the two-and-a-half hour, three-act spectacle, band leader RM engaged the packed, decibel-shattering crowd by referencing England’s instant-classic 3-2 win.
“London, it’s been a while. Congrats on the win last night,” the 31-year-old exclaimed, eliciting a huge cheer.
He continued, “We always bring the luck to every place. When we were in Belgium, Belgium won, and now in London, England won. You see?”
BTS last performed in London in 2019, making history as the first South Korean group to headline Wembley Stadium.
RM added: “(Being here) gives me a lot of reminiscing. There was Covid, there was military, and now we’re here in 2026 together. I missed you so much.”
Groupmate V said: “London is the place I like the most. You always go above my expectations. It’s always exciting to perform in front of you, and the (BTS fan group) Army (Adorable Representative MC For Youth) gives me chills down my spine.”
Rapper and producer Suga added: “I don’t think you guys have changed. You’re still a passionate country. I’m still feeling the same emotions I felt at Wembley.”
BTS’ legions of supporters did not let a sticky evening in north London stop them from fully enjoying the reunion, staged on an innovative “360” in-the-round set with multi-directional spoke-like runways.
The design of the centre “pavilion” took inspiration from Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace, while the stage floor incorporated visual elements inspired by the South Korean flag.
The first of three “acts” opened with Hooligan from the new album, the group’s fifth, and the simple-but-effective staging of its lead single Swim, around a pool-like round stage in the “pavilion”, circled by fabric “waves” created by a section of the show’s 50 dancers, was enthusiastically received.
Fans were also treated to new track Body To Body, which samples Arirang and features a BTS-ified traditional “ganggangsullae” circle dance, but the highlight came at the end of act two with the anthemic Idol.
The 2018 track culminated in an exuberant parade around the perimeter led by BTS and flanked by dancers carrying massive flags and LED ribbons.
It felt like the perfect celebration of an emphatic return.
