BTS perform in the rain as ARIRANG world tour opens to roaring crowds

BTS launch their ARIRANG world tour in dramatic fashion as rain pours over opening night. Fans turn out in thousands, but what unfolded inside the stadium?

In Short

• Thousands of fans gathered outside Goyang Stadium ahead of BTS concert
• Fans wore purple and red reflecting BTS’s album themes
• Attendees ranged from twenties to fifties, showing diverse fanbase

BTS kicked off the first night of their ARIRANG world tour under steady rain, turning Goyang Stadium into a sea of light sticks and raincoats. Despite the downpour, the group powered through their set, with fans staying put and singing along, marking their first full-group concert in four years.

According to The Korea Herald, thousands of fans had already gathered hours before the show, undeterred by the weather. The rain-soaked opening night quickly became a defining moment, as BTS delivered a performance that blended new tracks with fan-favourite hits, including the widely discussed Body to Body.

What made the opening night so significant?

Fans dressed in purple — the colour synonymous with BTS — filled the venue, while red accents referenced the group’s latest album, ARIRANG. Some also wore hanbok, signalling the album’s cultural influences.

“I’ve loved BTS since 2014,” said one international fan quoted by The Korea Herald, adding that the concert marked her first time seeing the group as a complete unit.

How did fans react to the rain-soaked show?

The rain did little to dampen the atmosphere. Fans continued traditional pre-concert rituals, exchanging merchandise and documenting the experience despite the weather.

Many described the moment as emotional, particularly those who became fans during the pandemic and had never attended a live BTS concert before. The performance of newer songs alongside older hits further amplified the sense of nostalgia and reunion.

Another attendee noted that BTS has grown into a cultural ambassador for South Korea, highlighting the group’s global influence beyond music.

What happens next on the ARIRANG tour?

The Goyang concerts are part of a three-day series expected to draw over 120,000 attendees. Authorities have implemented crowd management and safety measures, including traffic control and on-site emergency systems.

Following the opening leg, BTS will take the ARIRANG tour to 34 cities worldwide, with stops planned in Japan, the United States and Mexico. The group is also expected to return to Busan in June to mark its 13th anniversary.

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