BTS launches a citywide Seoul comeback project titled BTS: THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL. It will run from March 20 to April 12 alongside the release of their fifth studio album, ARIRANG. The project places the comeback directly into the city rather than limiting it to stages or broadcasts. Music, media, and visual art will unfold across public spaces, allowing residents and visitors to experience the boy band through Seoul itself. The plan is to merge pop culture with daily urban life while spotlighting Korean heritage in a modern frame.
According to BIGHIT MUSIC, the opening day will focus on Seoul’s most recognizable landmarks. Starting March 20, locations such as Sungnyemun Gate and Seoul Tower will be reworked into massive visual displays. Light, projection, and digital imagery will cover the structures, creating striking scenes where historical architecture meets contemporary media expression.
Alongside this, a three-day lounge-style music program will run from March 20 to March 22 at Yeouido Hangang Park. The event is designed as an open setting where the septet’s songs play in a relaxed environment. From April 1 to April 12, the project expands deeper into the city. Downtown stone walls, staircases, and street trees will shift into outdoor exhibition zones. Across these spaces, the group’s lyrics will be reimagined through light-based installations and video art.
Additional partnership events connected to food, beverages, and mobility services are also planned. The announcement follows earlier large-scale city projects, including BTS PERMISSION TO DANCE: THE CITY in Las Vegas in April 2022 and BTS: THE CITY in Busan later that year. Those affairs established THE CITY as an urban play park concept that extends fan experiences across an entire metropolis.
BTS launches ARIRANG era with album, world tour, Netflix live & documentary
BTS is preparing a closely connected worldwide return under the ARIRANG name. The comeback officially begins on March 20 with the titular album. It is the group’s fifth Korean full album since 2022. As the first complete release after military duties, the record shapes the creative path ahead and marks a return to full activity.
Soon after, attention turns to a live stage moment. On March 21, a major comeback performance unfolds at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, while streaming worldwide through Netflix. By choosing a live global feed, the comeback reaches beyond location and becomes a shared moment.
That energy continues on March 27 with a documentary release. The film follows the reunion process and the making of ARIRANG. As the season advances, the ARIRANG World Tour opens on April 9 in Goyang, South Korea. It then stretches into a global stadium run planned through 2027. The scale places the tour among the most far-reaching chapters of the K-pop act’s career.
As for BTS: THE CITY ARIRANG SEOUL, further schedule updates and program information are expected in the coming weeks.
Edited by Shreya Jha

