HYBE released an official statement after BTS held a special comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. The event lasted one hour and took place at one of the city’s most historic public locations. The event was also streamed live through Netflix, allowing fans in Korea and around the world to watch in real time. During the show, BTS performed songs from their new album ARIRANG for the first time, marking the start of their latest era.
The morning after the show, on March 22, 2026, HYBE shared a public message about the event. In its statement, the company expressed gratitude for the cooperation shown by the public and relevant authorities. It also apologized for any inconvenience or disruption that the event may have caused, both during the preparation and operation of the show. Because the performance took place in a busy and symbolic area of Seoul and drew a large crowd, a public organization was needed.
#BTS brings the house down with their incredible performance of #MICDrop at their mega Comeback show live in Seoul with the crowd singing along to every word! 💪🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🏻🕺🕺🏻🕺🏻🎤👥👤🗣️💥⛩️ 🇰🇷👑👑👑👑👑👑👑💜#BTSLiveonNetflix#BTS_ARIRANGpic.twitter.com/gyd6ZZWksP
— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) March 21, 2026
HYBE’s statement talked about both celebration and caution. On one hand, the company recognized the significance of BTS returning with a large public performance in such a major location. On the other hand, it acknowledged that an event of this scale can affect nearby residents, visitors, shops, and traffic in the area. The statement thanked the audience and the support of the authorities, but also apologized to people who might have been negatively impacted. Read the statement here:
“Hello, this is HYBE.
We are sincerely thankful for the warm support and consideration given to BTS’s performance held yesterday in Gwanghwamun.
First, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the authorities who allowed us to use Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, which are iconic symbols of Korea, as a performance venue.
We are well aware that Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun are spaces where Korea’s history, identity, and contemporary culture coexist and live on together. HYBE considers it a great honor that we were able to present a performance for the whole world in this meaningful location.
We are deeply grateful to the police, fire department, government, and local officials who made it possible for us to safely wrap up this event.
We would also like to both apologize to and thank the citizens in the Gwanghwamun area, along with the local merchants, office workers, and visitors. Because we absolutely needed to ensure the safety of this event that was receiving attention from all over the world, we inevitably had to implement certain [safety] measures, such as traffic and building restrictions or searches for dangerous items. We would like to sincerely apologize to those who commute through Gwanghwamun Square and everyone who experienced inconvenience in their precious personal schedules or daily routines because of these [measures]. It was thanks to your generous understanding and consideration that we were able to create this meaningful occasion.
K-pop was able to grow into a cultural force that, today, breathes together with the entire world because of not only the artists and fans, but also because of the cultural foundation built over the years by Korean society, as well as the mature support of Korean citizens. We are well aware that this event, too, was only possible because it stood upon this foundation. The orderly spectators, your mature civic-mindedness, and the mutual consideration shown for one another made this event shine even brighter. Once again, we would like to thank all of you.
HYBE will cherish the support and consideration given to this event, and we will work even harder to share the touching emotions and value of K-pop and K-culture with the whole world. In particular, we are grateful for the fact that we were able to introduce our proud cultural landmarks to the entire world through this event. We are currently discussing plans to protect and promote our national heritage and cultural assets with related organizations, and we will flesh out these plans and implement a long-term support system as quickly as possible.
Once again, we would like to sincerely thank everyone who worked hard on this Gwanghwamun event.
Finally, we would like to offer our condolences to everyone who was affected by the Daejeon fire accident. We extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved families, and we wish those who were injured a speedy recovery.”
Sincerely, HYBE
March 22, 2026
