BTS to Take Over Seoul's Heart: City Greenlights BTS 2026 Gwanghwamun Comeback Show
Seoul city gives conditional approval for the BTS 2026 Gwanghwamun Comeback Show in March. BTS will return with their 5th album 'Arirang' after nearly 4 years.
A historic first for K-pop is coming to the symbolic center of Seoul. The city government has officially given BTS the nod to hold a massive comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square.
According to Yonhap News on January 22, 2026, the Seoul metropolitan government approved the request from HYBE and BigHit Music for the "BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul." The approval is conditional, requiring strict adherence to safety standards, including crowd control measures and traffic disruption management.
Safety Rules for BTS 2026 Gwanghwamun Comeback Show
This event marks the first time a single K-pop act has been allowed to host a solo concert at Gwanghwamun Square. To ensure public safety, city officials plan to conduct on-site inspections to prevent unfair business practices, such as inflated hotel prices in the surrounding area.
The scale of the event is massive. HYBE has applied to host 18,000 people at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, with an additional 30,000 fans expected at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall.
New Album 'Arirang' Marks a New Era
The comeback show coincides with the release of BTS's fifth full-length album, "Arirang", on March 20. This is the group's first new album in 3 years and 9 months since the release of 'Proof' in June 2022. The city government expects a surge in foreign tourists and plans to organize various cultural programs to celebrate the global stars' return.
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