L.A. Designates “BTS Week,” Lights City Hall Red as All Four SoFi Stadium Shows Sell Out

Global pop icons return as entire city turns red

Los Angeles has transformed into a citywide celebration to welcome BTS and its “ARIRANG” world tour. BIGHIT MUSIC, the group’s agency, announced Tuesday that Los Angeles had officially designated the period from the 1st through the 8th of this month, local time, as “BTS Week.”

The official proclamation ceremony was held at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, with members of the City Council, the city’s tourism agency and senior BIGHIT MUSIC officials in attendance. To mark the proclamation, City Hall was illuminated in a vivid “red” light Tuesday night, the signature color representing BTS’ fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” The display served as an official welcome to audiences arriving in Los Angeles from around the world and a symbol of the city’s enduring friendship with the group.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said, “Art and culture have the powerful ability to connect communities,” adding, “It is an honor to recognize BTS’ achievements and immense contributions to global culture, and to celebrate the group’s special connection with Los Angeles alongside people around the world.” City Councilmember John Lee also said the proclamation was “an expression of pride in the longstanding cultural exchanges among Korea, the Korean American community and Los Angeles.”

Return to SoFi after 4 years, 9 months marks cultural diplomacy across North America

BTS will hold solo concerts on the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles’ massive landmark venue. All four shows sold out early, reaffirming the group’s enduring global drawing power at the box office. This marks BTS’ return to the SoFi Stadium stage after a gap of 4 years and 9 months, since its “Permission to Dance On Stage” concerts in December 2021.

In an official resolution, the Los Angeles City Council praised BTS, saying the group “has established itself as the most influential artist representing the current generation since its debut in 2013.” The council particularly applauded BTS for opening pathways for Asian artists to reach global audiences and building a worldwide alliance of hope across language and cultural barriers.

BTS fever in the United States is not limited to Los Angeles. Major North American cities the “ARIRANG” tour has visited, including El Paso County, Texas, Illinois and Toronto, Canada, have also declared “BTS Week” and “BTS Day,” one after another, showing enthusiastic support for the group’s activities. The renewed response demonstrates once again BTS’ far-reaching impact as a massive cultural phenomenon extending beyond music performances.