BTS World Tour Reflections: “Chills from ‘Arirang’ Singalongs That Captivated the World, My Heart Welling Up”…Behind-the-Scenes Revealed on “Run BTS 2.0”

The chills of a Korean singalong that swallowed the world, and the charge of “BTS” that breaks orbit

The group “BTS” (BTS), which has been reshaping the global pop landscape, is currently taking over 34 cities around the world with its new world tour “ARIRANG” on an overwhelming scale. In the self-produced content “Run BTS 2.0” released on the 11th, the group did not hide its awe at the explosive Korean singalong of the fan community “ARMY”, one that transcends borders and language. “Wherever the show goes, the singalong of “ARIRANG” delivers chills and overwhelming emotion at every moment,” they said, and the confession proves that this is more than a concert—it is a cultural phenomenon. In particular, a surprise dinner video shot during the North American tour ahead of June 13, their debut date, shed light on the candid side of the seven men standing at the top, sparking intense public curiosity.

With the tour writing an unprecedented record for K-pop—86 performances—its run began last April in Goyang, drawing 130,000 spectators. Even amid brutal weather with heavy rain, members recalled that “instead of getting soaked onstage, we actually started laughing,” suggesting not only grit but also the ease of a master who fully controls the stage. Beyond the fierce intensity of the past, the current image of the group eating together after the show and gathering small fragments of everyday life represents the inner maturity they have reached.

Their global influence shone even outside the stage. When “BTS” visited Mexico and met with President Claudia Sheinbaum, they triggered an unprecedented disruption, paralyzing local traffic with an estimated crowd of more than 50,000 people that packed into Mexico City’s Zócalo. The amazement—“It was so hard to tell whether it was a festival or us”—underscores once again the unapproachable aura they carry.

The aesthetic achievement of the fifth regular album, the evolution into true adulthood, and the finale in Busan

The fifth regular album “ARIRANG”, forged by sharpening musical authenticity, is the result of “BTS”’s relentless 고민 and hard thinking. On the title track “SWIM”, they said, “A romantic narrative filled with a firm will to protect something,” and they also assessed that the organic harmony of the seven members perfectly pierced the rules of mainstream pop and a universal message. “Individual growth led directly to the group’s flexibility,” their declaration pinpoints clearly the current “BTS”—stepping beyond a mere idol group to emerge as true artists and genuine adults.

Now, the gaze on this massive journey turns to Busan, South Korea. On the 12th and 13th, the Busan performances of the world tour “ARIRANG” at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium carry special meaning because they are hometown shows for Jimin and Jungkook. To mark the occasion, across Busan, the whole city transforms into “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG-BUSAN” (BTS THE CITY ARIRANG-BUSAN) by the end of this month. Along with deep gratitude toward the fans who kept their place steadfastly even after a long return, the group’s plans to ensure the tour’s flawless finish remain very much in progress—and stand as a new milestone in popular music history.