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K-pop group BTS attracted an estimated 18.4 million viewers worldwide for their comeback concert, streamed live on Netflix on March 21.
The seven-member group performed together for the first time following a multi-year hiatus prompted by mandatory military service. The concert coincided with the release of their latest studio album, “ARIRANG,” and was staged at Gwanghwamun Square, with the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace providing a dramatic backdrop.
According to Netflix, the livestream was watched by an estimated 18.4 million viewers worldwide, entered the platform’s weekly Top 10 in 80 countries, and reached the number one position in 24 markets. The event also represented Netflix’s inaugural live broadcast in South Korea and its first globally live-streamed music performance.
Local attendance figures in central Seoul were estimated between 40,000 and 50,000, according to the Seoul metropolitan government. Fans waved glowsticks, sang along to BTS’s hits, and filmed the performance.
During the concert, BTS performed several tracks from “ARIRANG,” including “Body to Body,” which incorporates a choral sample of the traditional Korean folk song Arirang, from which the album derives its title. The song, often described as South Korea’s unofficial national anthem, conveys themes of longing and separation.
The album release has been met with significant commercial success, selling nearly four million copies on its first day. On streaming platforms, the lead single “SWIM” held the top position on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs Global chart for three consecutive days, while “Body to Body” remained at number two.
BTS is scheduled to commence their 2026–27 “ARIRANG” World Tour on April 9 in Goyang, South Korea, with 82 concerts planned across 34 cities in Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America. Tickets for shows in South Korea, North America, and Europe sold out within hours.
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