K-pop sensation BTS has made a highly anticipated return to the stage with their first full group concert since October 2022 and the release of their 10th studio album, “ARIRANG”. The concert, titled “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG,” was scheduled to stream live from Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Saturday, March 21, at 7 a.m. ET. Member RM teased the event with a confident “Tomorrow” in a Netflix Instagram promo, building excitement for the performance.

The group’s new album, “ARIRANG,” dropped on Friday, March 20, just 24 hours before the live concert. The LP features 14 tracks, with all members contributing to the writing credits. Renowned producers such as Diplo, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Ryan Tedder lent their expertise to the project. The album showcases the members’ growth as soloists and their experiences, including their time in the South Korean military, since their last full-length release, “Be,” which topped the Billboard 200 in 2020.

At the heart of the “ARIRANG” album lies a deep connection to Korean history and BTS’s evolving role within it. The title itself is inspired by a traditional Korean folk song. A teaser posted by BTS explained the narrative of seven Korean men singing “Arirang” for a crowd at Howard University in 1896, creating what is believed to be the first-known recording of the song. Over a century later, BTS, comprising RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook, has similarly propelled K-culture onto the global stage through their unprecedented run of Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits in 2020-21, proving their continued ability to achieve significant milestones.

Amidst the excitement, news emerged early Friday regarding an ankle injury sustained by RM. BigHit Entertainment issued a statement via Weverse, confirming that RM suffered an accessory navicular sprain, a partial ligament tear, and a talus contusion during a performance rehearsal on March 19. A medical diagnosis necessitates RM wearing a cast for at least two weeks, which will result in his onstage performances being “partially limited.” Despite RM’s strong desire to deliver a full performance, the company, in consultation with the artist, prioritized medical opinion to prevent further injury, requesting fans’ understanding for any disappointment.

In light of the massive turnout expected for the free performance at Gwanghwamun Square, RM took to Weverse on Thursday to urge the ARMY fan base to adhere to safety precautions. He emphasized the importance of order and consideration from each fan, asking them to follow the guidance of field staff and safety personnel to ensure a safe and joyful experience for everyone. This call for caution coincided with The Guardian’s report that Seoul had raised its terror alert by one notch, to the second-lowest level on a four-step scale, in anticipation of up to 260,000 people congregating for the event. The comeback journey for BTS is set to continue with a world tour scheduled to commence in April.