Global group BTS will hold a comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul this March for free.
According to a report by the Korea JoongAng Daily, the application submitted by HYBE and BigHit Music to use the venue for the event scheduled on March 21 received conditional approval from the Seoul Metropolitan Government on January 22.
Final clearance will be issued after the event undergoes a safety management review and organizers present measures to reduce traffic impact.
While Gwanghwamun Square can accommodate around 18,000 people, authorities expect the crowd to swell to as many as 200,000 on the day of the event. In response, extensive preparations are underway including the deployment of additional personnel, inspections across the hospitality sector, and traffic management measures as per report by The Asia Business Daily.
The comeback concert will take place following the release of BTS's new album Arirang, which will drop on March 20.
According to the recent announcement of BigHit Music, the new record will contain 14 tracks.
"The members were deeply involved in the creation of the songs, infusing their own thoughts and colors into them while musically expressing the emotions and struggles they have experienced along their journey," BigHit said.
"Filled with the music that’s most true to BTS, the album is their heartfelt way of saying thank you to ARMY, who have been there this whole time," the label added.
The album became available for pre-order starting at 11 a.m. on January 16 in South Korea, or 10 a.m. Philippine time.
Back in August 2025, RM opened up about the group's journey in creating their next record.
"It's already been a little over two months since I was discharged. Now I’m in faraway Los Angeles, living, working, and playing with the members," he said in a post on Weverse as translated to English at that time.
RM remarked that he is devoting himself on creating their next record with the members. "I want to devote myself to, and be grateful for, this very moment of still creating something 'together' with these friends," he stated.
The singer also reflected on the time since their last performance and promised that when they return, it would feel as if no time had passed.
"It's been such a long time, hasn’t it? But when we meet again… it'll feel as if none of this time had passed. I promise," he stated.
After the release of the album, BTS will go on a world tour including a stop in the Philippines on March 13 to 14, 2027.
BTS last performed in the country on May 6 to 7, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena for the BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour in Manila. Prior to that, they staged BTS Live On Stage: Epilogue in Manila on July 30, 2016 at the same venue.
BTS first performed in the Philippines on December 7, 2014 for BTS Live Trilogy in Manila: Episode II – The Red Bullet, also held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ticketing details for the 2027 BTS concert in the Philippines are yet to be announced.