Here’s Why BTS Chose This Street for Its "Comeback Live | Arirang" FREE Concert! (Built for Royalty)
- Jon Lui
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
As the world anxiously awaits K-pop's biggest comeback, BTS, the Dojeon Team has taken it upon ourselves to dive deep into the reasons why BTS has decided to perform their free concert at Gwanghwamun Square. We highlight the significance of the street, reserved for royalty, and why "Arirang" was chosen to be performed here!
The Heart and "Seoul" of South Korea
For those who have never been to South Korea, Gwanghwamun Square, located in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace, has been the historic heart and soul of Seoul and the country for centuries. It has always been the "core" of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), with the Kings located north and the six main government departments lining the street to the south. Whenever there was major news from South Korea, photographs from this area would scour headlines around the world. When South Korea recorded its best World Cup finish in 2002, it was the "Red Devils" that sat with wide eyes, cheering for their country's team. Numerous rallies and protests have been photographed at Gwanghwamun Square, making it South Korea's "most prestigious" and notorious landmark.
The Woldae
Performing on the newly renovated stage made for kings, BTS will assume their positions (quite literally) as the "Kings of K-pop" on the Worldae, the stage made for kings in front of Gyeonbukgung Palace's main gate. Originally built as a communication platform between the king and his people, the Woldae was destroyed by Imperial Japan during the 1920s and was restored to its original 48.7-meter (160 feet) length and 29.7-meter (97 feet) width in 2023.
"Arirang"
If you know a little about Korean history, you know about this unofficial folk song (아리랑) of the Korean people. It represents resilience and identity with underlying themes of love, separation, and sorrow. It is often translated to "my beloved one" or associated with the pain of departing.
Imagine BTS walking towards Gyeongbokgung Palace, and stepping onto the Woldae, while government institutions such as the U.S. Embassy, Seoul Government Complex, and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts form an imaginary bubble of political and soft power that South Korea has come to be known for. The Seoul Government knows that "Arirang" is worth more than millions of dollars of advertising, therefore agreeing to let BTS perform their comeback there.
A Global Spectacle
Needless to say, BTS's Comeback Livestream | Arirang is going to break barriers, milestones, and more. It will be the first cultural event to be streamed to the world on one platform, Netflix, simultaneously to 190 countries! The cost to produce something like this is equivalent to a Blockbuster movie!
Final Thoughts
With BTS launching its comeback album, Arirang, the day before, it is only fitting that their comeback live concert, also by the same name, be performed at the most historically significant location in South Korea. The image of speeches given by kings to the people parallels the "Kings of K-pop" returning to the sea of ARMY that will be gathered at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026.
Have you secured your tickets? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!