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(LEAD) BTS promises new stage experience with 'Arirang' world tour | Yonhap News Agency

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April 9, 2026, 1:57 PM 9 min read 0 views

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OK (ATTN: UPDATES throughout with BTS' interview with agency; ADDS photo, byline) By Shim Sun-ah SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS said Thursday it is determined to deliver a fresh stage experience as it kicks off its first world tour after returning from a nearly four-year break for military service. K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) "It still does not feel real," RM, the group's leader, said in an interview with BigHit, released a few hours before the first night in Goyang. We prepared really hard, and I hope we can enjoy the shows together with our fans." K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music and Netflix, in this file photo from March 21, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS adds 3 shows to Latin American leg of 'Arirang' world tour BTS' 'Swim' dips one spot to No. 2 on Billboard singles chart (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS ranks No.?4 on British Official Albums Chart with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Netflix app downloads surge on BTS livestream concert in Seoul (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' MORE (+3) CLOSE Keywords #BTS #world tour #begin #Goyang Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S. Korean road lined with cherry blossoms prev (LEAD) BTS promises new stage experience with 'Arirang' world tour Next (LEAD) BTS promises new stage experience with 'Arirang' world tour

## Summary
OK (ATTN: UPDATES throughout with BTS' interview with agency; ADDS photo, byline) By Shim Sun-ah SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS said Thursday it is determined to deliver a fresh stage experience as it kicks off its first world tour after returning from a nearly four-year break for military service. K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) "It still does not feel real," RM, the group's leader, said in an interview with BigHit, released a few hours before the first night in Goyang. We prepared really hard, and I hope we can enjoy the shows together with our fans." K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music and Netflix, in this file photo from March 21, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS adds 3 shows to Latin American leg of 'Arirang' world tour BTS' 'Swim' dips one spot to No. 2 on Billboard singles chart (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS ranks No.?4 on British Official Albums Chart with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Netflix app downloads surge on BTS livestream concert in Seoul (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' MORE (+3) CLOSE Keywords #BTS #world tour #begin #Goyang Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S. Korean road lined with cherry blossoms prev (LEAD) BTS promises new stage experience with 'Arirang' world tour Next (LEAD) BTS promises new stage experience with 'Arirang' world tour

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(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with BTS' interview with agency; ADDS photo, byline)
By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- K-pop supergroup BTS said Thursday it is determined to deliver a fresh stage experience as it kicks off its first world tour after returning from a nearly four-year break for military service.
The new tour, titled "Arirang," opens at 7 p.m. at Goyang Stadium in the city just northwest of Seoul, in what is expected to be the largest concert series in K-pop history.
The three-night run marks the start of 85 shows across 34 cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Toronto, Lima, Santiago and Bangkok, through 2027.
Staged mainly in stadiums and domes with 360-degree setups, the tour is expected to attract the biggest audience ever for a K-pop act. More dates will be added to stops in Japan and the Middle East, according to BigHit Music, the group's agency.
K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"It still does not feel real," RM, the group's leader, said in an interview with BigHit, released a few hours before the first night in Goyang. He noted that performing on the 360-degree setup came with new challenges but expressed eagerness to meet the band's global fandom, known as ARMY.
"Because it has been a long time since our last tour, I worried I might have lost my touch, so I prepared several times harder," V said.
The band emphasized that the tour would mark a major shift in its concert style. "We are trying to show a completely different production from what we've done before," Jimin said, adding that the group focused on making the show visually rich as well as musically engaging.
Suga agreed, saying, "It's a performance with strong visual elements, so audiences will also be able to enjoy watching."
A total of 46 shows, including the Goyang concerts and the North American and European legs, have already sold out, according to oragnizer Live Nation. The promoter said BTS sold about 2.4 million tickets for 41 North American and European dates alone.
The group is expected to perform new songs from its fifth studio album, "Arirang," which topped the Billboard 200 chart for two straight weeks, along with previous hit tracks during the tour.
Jungkook said he "wants to get on stage as soon as possible." He said, "I've been looking forward to this for such a long time, and just thinking about meeting the audience in person again makes me excited. We prepared really hard, and I hope we can enjoy the shows together with our fans."
K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music and Netflix, in this file photo from March 21, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
sshim@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Suga agreed, saying, "It's a performance with strong visual elements, so audiences will also be able to enjoy watching." A total of 46 shows, including the Goyang concerts and the North American and European legs, have already sold out, according to oragnizer Live Nation.

### Areas for Consideration
- We prepared really hard, and I hope we can enjoy the shows together with our fans." K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music and Netflix, in this file photo from March 21, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS adds 3 shows to Latin American leg of 'Arirang' world tour BTS' 'Swim' dips one spot to No. 2 on Billboard singles chart (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS ranks No.?4 on British Official Albums Chart with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Netflix app downloads surge on BTS livestream concert in Seoul (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' MORE (+3) CLOSE Keywords #BTS #world tour #begin #Goyang Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- More dates will be added to stops in Japan and the Middle East, according to BigHit Music, the group's agency.
- He noted that performing on the 360-degree setup came with new challenges but expressed eagerness to meet the band's global fandom, known as ARMY. "Because it has been a long time since our last tour, I worried I might have lost my touch, so I prepared several times harder," V said.
- Suga agreed, saying, "It's a performance with strong visual elements, so audiences will also be able to enjoy watching." A total of 46 shows, including the Goyang concerts and the North American and European legs, have already sold out, according to oragnizer Live Nation.
- We prepared really hard, and I hope we can enjoy the shows together with our fans." K-pop supergroup BTS is seen in this photo provided by BigHit Music and Netflix, in this file photo from March 21, 2026. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) sshim@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles BTS adds 3 shows to Latin American leg of 'Arirang' world tour BTS' 'Swim' dips one spot to No. 2 on Billboard singles chart (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS ranks No.?4 on British Official Albums Chart with 'Arirang' BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Netflix app downloads surge on BTS livestream concert in Seoul (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break (2nd LD) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' MORE (+3) CLOSE Keywords #BTS #world tour #begin #Goyang Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers bts, arirang, tour topics. Notable strengths include discussion of bts. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 833.
bts arirang tour pop korea photo world chart

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