BTS, the pioneering global boy band that helped popularize K-pop internationally, made its grand return to Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas.
The seven-member group, which includes members RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, had a sold-out four-night run at Allegiant Stadium in Vegas as part of their Arirang World Tour. BTS played their first show in Vegas on Saturday (May 23) and will resume on May 27 and 28. The K-pop group last played at the stadium in 2022 during their “Permission to Dance on Stage” concert series – it was one of the few locations where the group performed due to coronavirus regulations at the time.
The Bangtan Boys had as many fans lining up to watch their concert Sunday night as the group did four years ago. The stadium inside was lit up by the group’s glow sticks, known as ARMY Bombs, and the screams were almost deafening. Lines were packed throughout the stadium’s parking lot, and there wasn’t an empty seat visible in the entire venue.
Sunday’s concert was a little over two hours long show of masterful production and brilliant performances. The tour was highly anticipated Arirangthe group’s album after which the tour is named, is their first album in years. BTS, like all young people in South Korea who are deemed eligible for military service, have spent the past few years completing their mandatory military service. However, when you see BTS on stage, you would never know that each member has had to take a hiatus of at least 18 months over the past few years.
Like a lot Arirang The album Arirang Tour is infused with Korean culture. BTS has long been the butt of accusations of being “too Western” in their music as their popularity has exploded globally over the past decade. But it’s hard to believe that one could watch a show like this — which includes intros and interludes of traditional Korean music, an elaborate tribute to the shape of the Korean flag and a 360-degree “geongja”-style pavilion inspired by the Gyeonghwaro Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace — and deny that the group’s cultural identity was inculcated at every moment.
The show started with the song “Hooligan”. Arirangwere performed on the tour. While their 2021-2022 run of shows felt like a celebration of their career up to that point, a healthy mix of new and old songs, Arirang strongly felt like a showcase for those who stuck with the group and were completely immersed in Arirang As an album.
Sunday’s show was very dependent Arirangperforms only nine older tracks. If there are older fans looking to relive their previous tours, Arirang Tour is not the tour for them. BTS has made it clear that they are looking forward, not backward, while staying true to their roots and the fans who got them to this point.
And among othersArirang The songs performed were some of BTS’ legendary hits — “Fake Love,” “Mic Drop,” and “Idol” — as well as two of their pandemic-era English-language singles — “Butter” and “Dynamite” — and two surprise songs. “Black Swan” from their 2020 chart-topping album, He iswas the first surprise single, and their 2014 song “Spinebreaker,” a longtime fan favorite, was the second.
However, a highlight of the set was a performance of their new song “FYA”, which turned into one of the group’s most popular songs, “Fire”, which the group combined with the beat “FYA”. It seemed like a truly special musical moment that could only be witnessed at a BTS concert.
Many fans, like 21-year-old Natalie Nontaprida, traveled from outside of Nevada to attend the show. She said she had been a fan for nearly a decade and traveled with a group from Utah. “I love that they dance because I’m a dancer,” she said onstage about why she’s drawn to BTS. “It’s fun to see different, unique sounds and styles. I think they’re very talented.”
Since fans will be traveling, Hybe, the parent company of BTS BigHit Music label, has activated “BTS The City” once again. The group took over almost the entire city over the weekend, turning red to match Arirang Color system. BTS did a similar activation when they performed in the city in 2022. However, Arirang’s activation took things to a new level.
The weekend’s fireworks went off Saturday night at the MGM Grand. V cheekily mentioned the fireworks display during Sunday’s concert, joking that the noise was keeping him from sleeping, so he looked out his hotel room window to discover it was because of him and the group.
The Las Vegas Strip, as part of a partnership with Visit Las Vegas, turned completely red at 11pm local time, with a photo of the group and the message “Las Vegas welcomes BTS” spread across marquees on the Strip. The nearby ball also had an Arirang displayed as it spun.
The city has also hosted a large number of retail, dining and cultural events. Some restaurants and cafes offered special BTS-themed items, official concerts followed the party at nearby nightclubs, the Arte Las Vegas Museum opened a BTS exhibit, and the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign was lit up in red in honor of the group.
BTS is scheduled to make a special appearance tonight (May 25) at the American Music Awards, which was announced last week. Monday’s awards ceremony appearance marks the group’s first appearance in four years. They are nominated for three awards at the show including Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer and Best K-Pop Artist.
