Today in K-Pop

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- "Swim," the lead track of boy group BTS' latest stud...

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BTS will transform the heart of Seoul into a massive stage on Saturday as the K-pop band marks its historic return with a live performance at Gwanghwamun Square to celebrate the release of its new album "ARIRANG." The event will be broadcast live to more than 190 countries via Netflix starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, marking the first time the global streaming giant will host a live music event of this scale in Korea. Brandon Riegg, vice president of nonfiction series and sports at Netflix, said the partnership with HYBE was a natural fit for the platform's live strategy. "We're incredibly excited and honored to be able to partner with HYBE and BTS on this landmark event," Riegg said during a press conference in Seoul Friday. "As we look at entertaining the world and the big events in the live space that we tried to do, it was very clear from the start that this opportunity was one we could not pass up." Riegg added that the collaboration is a continuation of Netflix's belief in the power of Korean culture. "I think it really doesn't get any bigger than BTS, and what this tour and performance

BTS

Anticipation has peaked across Seoul. From subway platforms to cafe-lined streets, signs of K-pop juggernaut BTS’ impending Gwanghwamun Square performance and its vast global impact are increasingly visible throughout the capital. Light sticks protrude from backpacks, flashes of merchandise are seen as people weave through pedestrian traffic and clusters of overseas visitors move between landmarks that have taken on new symbolic meaning for the group’s worldwide fandom, called ARMY. Although the concert has yet to begin, its influence is already reshaping the city’s atmosphere, transforming central Seoul into a gathering point for a transnational community. Fans from across continents have arrived in steady waves, many describing the trip as the culmination of years of anticipation. “I became a fan during the pandemic,” said Rashika, who flew in from California and headed directly to Gwanghwamun after landing Thursday. “We followed all their solo releases, but seeing them together again feels completely different. It feels like a moment I've been waiting for.” At Gwanghwamun

BTS

Global K-pop sensation BTS will return as a full group Friday, ending a hiatus of three years and nine months from group projects with the release of its fifth studio album, "Arirang." It will be the band's first group release since "Proof" in June 2022 and the first since all of its members completed their mandatory military service. The title "Arirang" is from the name of a famous Korean folk song that is often considered the unofficial national anthem of Korea. According to BigHit Music, the group's agency, the album due out at 1 p.m. captures BTS' identity as a group that began in Korea, along with "the longing and deep love that lie within their hearts." The album consists of 14 tracks, including "Swim," "Body to Body," "Hooligan," "Aliens," "Fya" and "2.0". The lead track, "Swim," is described as an upbeat alternative pop song about navigating life's challenges, with lyrics co-written by BTS frontman RM. "Body to Body" celebrates the shared energy of performing for its dedicated fans, while "Hooligan" offers a look back at BTS' journey and "2.0" provides a candid reflection of the

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Nobody knew how long fans would have to wait for BTS’ comeback. Filipino BTS fan Sweet Tappan is one of thousands who waited patiently for the seven-member megagroup's return and will finally see them perform at Gwanghwamun on Saturday, following the release of their full-length album “ARIRANG” on Friday. “They really promised to come back. We waited a long time for this so we're really excited,” Tappan told The Korea Times on Friday. She took a red-eye flight from Manila on Thursday night and arrived Friday morning, when she met with The Korea Times to visit sites included in the “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG” program, which allows fans to enjoy promotional events for BTS’ new album while touring historic locations in Seoul. Dressed from head to toe in red, the color of the new album, Tappan already has a packed schedule: On Friday she visited Love Song Lounge, Shinsegae Department Store’s The Heritage, and saw a light show at Sungnyemun, one of Seoul's historic gates, and a drone show at Ttukseom Hangang Park — things she would never do back home in the Philippines, where

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Excitement was palpable in central Seoul on Friday a...

BTS

K-pop juggernaut BTS has released its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” marking the group’s first studio project together in nearly four years and signaling what the members describe as the start of a new chapter, “BTS 2.0.” The 14-track record follows the 2022 anthology album “Proof” and was shaped through extended songwriting sessions involving all seven members. Part of that work took place in Los Angeles, where dozens of demo tracks were developed and refined. Built around themes of identity, growth and shared experience, “ARIRANG” is framed by the group as a reflection of BTS' identity today. The title draws from the Korean folk song long associated with longing and resilience, an idea the band said it aimed to reinterpret in a contemporary pop context. Following the release, BTS is set to begin major promotional activities, including a large-scale comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square that will be livestreamed globally through Netflix. Roots, risk, sound of return Yet promotional scale alone does not explain what “ARIRANG” is trying to do. After

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BTS’ full-group comeback performance is just a day away, and Gwanghwamun Square has been placed under near-lockdown-level security, with more than 10,000 safety personnel on standby. The K-pop sensation's long-awaited return to the stage on Saturday is expected to draw some 260,000 people to the square, including 22,000 ticket holders. It will be the first cultural event at the site to draw over 200,000 people since the 2002 and 2006 World Cups. Police will deploy around 6,700 officers throughou

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BTS' leader RM was injured during the group's comeback show rehearsal with the much-anticipated concert only hours away. The group's label, BigHit Music, said Friday that RM suffered an ankle injury while rehearsing for the performance on Thursday. Medical examination results showed a sprain of the accessory navicular bone and partial ligament tear Doctors advised that he wear a leg cast and minimize movement for at least two weeks while focusing on recovery. This article from Xportsnews is adapted by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Friday a live pe...

BTS

BTS released their fifth album, ‘Arirang,’ at 1 p.m., Friday, marking the group’s first full-group comeback in three years and nine months. The album explores the group’s identity and universal emotions, drawing inspiration from the traditional Korean folk song, Arirang. Reflecting BTS’ Korean roots while capturing sentiments the seven members experience today, the 14-track album aims to resonate with listeners across cultures and generations. Lead track “Swim” conveys the message of continuing

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Hours before the release of "Arirang" — BTS's first full-group studio album in nearly four years — the organizers behind the group's Saturday comeback concert held a press briefing at a theatre in central Seoul, steps from Gwanghwamun Square, where the show will take place. This time, Netflix holds exclusive global streaming rights to the concert. Brandon Riegg, Netflix's VP of unscripted series and sports, said the decision to partner with Hybe on the event — the streamer's first live music bro

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Tomorrow X Together asked fans to share stories of moments that have made them wish for “one more day,” in a campaign inspired by its upcoming EP, label Big Hit Music announced Thursday. Promotional posters for the event also included the text, “TXT will do the asking for you,” piquing fans' interest. The group is set to return April 13 with its eighth EP, “7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns.” In the lead-up to the release, the group has offered a series of unusual promotional activit

TOMORROW X TOGETHER

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- The government has set up an emergency communication...

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Global K-pop sensation BTS will return as a full gro...

BTS

When K-pop powerhouse BTS takes the stage for its comeback performance at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, Saturday, the moment is expected to carry significance beyond a typical return to the spotlight. More than a decade after debuting in small studios and modest concert venues, the seven members will perform in the symbolic center of the Korean capital — not only as returning superstars, but as artists whose rise has reshaped the scale and global reach of K-pop. The performance coincides with the release of "ARIRANG," BTS' first full-length studio album as a complete group in nearly four years and its first major collective activity following the completion of its members' mandatory military service. For fans and industry observers alike, the Gwanghwamun concert represents a key moment in BTS' trajectory, as well as a test of the group’s continued global drawing power. BTS — consisting of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — debuted in June 2013 with the single album "2 Cool 4 Skool." At a time when the K-pop industry was bombarded with rookie groups, the group distin

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BTS’ new album "Arirang," released Friday at 1 p.m., offers insight into the group’s current state, reflecting both its identity and a range of emotions. Critics largely agree that the group’s fifth full-length album is well-crafted, though many note that its sound leans toward appealing to a more mature US audience. "The most notable point is that the album seems to target the US adult pop audience," music critic Lim Hee-yun said. "BTS is widely known among the American public through songs lik

BTS

Though a day remained before BTS’ live comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square, the area was already buzzing, with fans dressed in purple and BTS merchandise gathering to take photos near the stage and surrounding advertisements. Congratulatory videos by individual members’ fan clubs played on megascreens in landmarks near the area, including Koreana Hotel and the KT Gwanghwamun Building West, and banners welcoming BTS and its fandom, Army, were also seen hanging around the square. Stage installatio

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"Swim," the lead track of boy group BTS' latest studio album, topped the Top 100 main songs chart on Melon, a leading music streaming platform in South Korea, shortly after its release on Friday. "Swim," which was unveiled at 1 p.m., debuted straight at No. 1 on the Top 100 chart an hour later. In 2022, the group made history as the first act to reach No. 1 on the chart within an hour of release with "Yet to Come," following the chart's launch in 2021. As of 2 p.m., all 14 tracks from the new album had entered the chart, including "Body to Body" at No. 3, "Hooligan" at No. 6, "Aliens" at No. 9, and "Fya" at No. 11. The album "Arirang" also sold over 1.11 million physical copies as of 3 p.m. on Hanteo Chart, a leading local album sales tracker. The record surpassed 4 million preorders in January.

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Thirteen years ago, few could have predicted the phenomenon of BTS. Before the group's debut, Hybe — then a little-known independent label called Big Hit Entertainment — was fighting for survival. In the early 2000s, founder Bang Si-hyuk was reportedly burdened with more than 10 billion won ($6.7 million) in debt. By 2007, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. BTS formed three years later, and debuted in 2013. Even that debut was far from certain. Bang would later recall that the group mig

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- K-pop megagroup BTS is set to return with "BTS The C...

BTS

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- BTS leader RM has injured his ankle during a rehears...

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Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said Friday a live performance by K-pop supergroup BTS this weekend is expected to generate trillions of won in economic value in South Korea. The seven-member group will take to the stage under the title "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang" at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the release of its new studio album, "Arirang," its first in nearly four years. "This concert is expected to generate trillions of won in economic value, but its intangible ef

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Rapper and singer T.O.P is set to release his first full-length solo album since his debut, his agency said Thursday. The enigmatic rapper and BIGBANG veteran is finally ready to drop his first-ever solo studio effort. Titled “Another Dimension,” the project is slated to hit major streaming platforms on April 3, according to his agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES. Coinciding with the album’s reveal, the rapper has flooded his official channels with a series of high-concept teaser videos — visual appetizers for what is being billed as a radical creative pivot. According to TOPSPOT PICTURES, these clips go beyond promotion. They are a curated look into the “Another Dimension” concept, a world seemingly as avant-garde and meticulously crafted as the BIGBANG architect’s own storied art collection. The first teaser, “Studio54,” employs a distinctive typography effect, signaling the start of the album’s promotional rollout. A second teaser, “Desperado,” adopts a cinematic mise-en-scène, hinting at a shift in T.O.P’s musical style. The project represents a sweeping assertion of

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Global K-pop sensation BTS said it wanted to keep Korean sentiment alive in its own way as it prepared to release the new studio album "Arirang," its first full-group project in nearly four years. The seven-member group will drop the 14-track set at 1 p.m. Friday in Korean time, marking its first group release since the anthology album "Proof" in June 2022 and all members completed their mandatory military service. The album takes its name from "Arirang," a beloved Korean folk song often described as an unofficial national anthem, and is billed by its label, BigHit Music, as capturing BTS' identity as a group that began in Korea, along with "the longing and deep love that lie within their hearts." Speaking in a written interview with the label ahead of the release, the team's front man RM said Korean elements were a natural anchor for the band's first group comeback in three years and nine months. "'Koreanness' is an important keyword that can bind the seven of us together, because it's where we started and what connects us to our roots," he said. "Rather than bringing in traditional mot

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Yes, we’ve been waiting for this. K-pop juggernaut BTS is back after four years — and the global hype for the group's fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” set for release on Friday, is already going wild. New music, new visuals, new era and, of course, a new wave of buzz. But this time, the conversation isn’t just about concept photos or what the seven bandmates will roll out. It’s also about the language itself. Since the title is a pure Korean word, videos across YouTube, Instagram and X explai

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Warm spring weather is forecast throughout the weekend, including Saturday, when BTS is set to hold its highly-anticipated comeback concert. But with sharp swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures expected, bringing an extra layer is recommended, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said. At its regular forecast briefing Thursday, the KMA said the Korean Peninsula would remain under the influence of a migratory anticyclone throughout the weekend, bringing clear skies and wide temperature gaps between day and night. Friday’s highs are expected to range from 11 to 17 degrees Celsius, with lows of minus 6 to minus 4 degrees. On Saturday, the day of the BTS concert, highs are forecast at 12 to 18 degrees, while lows will range from minus 7 to minus 4 degrees. Sunday’s highs are expected to reach 13 to 17 degrees, with lows between minus 8 and minus 1 degrees. Although temperatures will remain near the seasonal average throughout the weekend — with lows of minus 6 to minus 2 degrees Celsius and highs of 11 to 17 degrees — caution is needed to stay warm during the nig

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RM of BTS injured his ankle Thursday, just two days before the group’s comeback show, Big Hit Music said Friday. According to the agency, the injury occurred during a rehearsal Thursday. RM was taken to a hospital for a detailed examination and was diagnosed with a sprain of the accessory navicular, a partial ligament tear and a talus contusion. Medical staff advised him to wear a cast and minimize movement for at least two weeks to focus on recovery. Despite the injury, RM expressed a strong de

RMBTS

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- BTS leader RM has injured his ankle during a rehears...

RMBTS

K-pop juggernaut BTS has released its fifth full-length album, "ARIRANG," marking the group's first collective studio project in nearly four years and signaling what the members have described as the start of a new era: "BTS 2.0." The 14-track album arrives three years and nine months after the anthology record "Proof," issued in June 2022. Overseen by HYBE Labels Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, the project was shaped through extensive songwriting sessions involving all seven BTS members, including a period of collaborative work in Los Angeles, during which dozens of demo tracks were reviewed and refined. Centered on themes of identity, growth and shared experience, "ARIRANG" reflects what the group calls "the present-day BTS." The title references the traditional Korean folk song long associated with longing and resilience, which the band said it sought to reinterpret in a contemporary pop context. Lead single "SWIM" anchors the album's narrative direction, portraying perseverance through the metaphor of moving forward in water. The members described the track as "understated" yet "enduring," b

BTS

BTS’ Jin reached out to fans as the group’s Gwanghwamun concert, set to mark its first full-member comeback following military service, draws closer. “Before I knew it, our comeback is just one day away,” Jin wrote in a message posted Thursday on Weverse, the group’s official fan community platform. “Thanks to so many people helping us and cheering us on, we were able to hold the comeback show at Gwanghwamun,” he said, referring to BTS’ upcoming comeback concert in Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square area this Saturday. He added that it felt especially meaningful to greet fans together again in such a symbolic place. “It’s an honor to be able to say hello again all together in such a meaningful place,” Jin wrote, before thanking those who helped make the event possible and everyone who showed understanding. “We’ll also do our best to put on a great performance.” Jin also urged fans planning to attend in person to make safety a priority. “Those of you watching on site, I ask that you please be sure to stay safe,” he wrote. BTS is set to release its fifth full-length

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BTS returned Friday with its fifth full-length album, “ARIRANG,” ending a three-year, nine-month hiatus and ushering in what the group calls a new chapter: “BTS 2.0.” Released at 1 p.m. through BigHit Music, the 14-track album centers on identity, growth and Korean cultural elements, with production led by Bang Si-hyuk. In a Q&A shared with media, the group reflected on its long-awaited return, creative process and ambitions for the future. Q. How does it feel to return after three years and nine months? BTS: It’s exciting and nerve-racking, but more than anything, it’s overwhelming. Just being able to do something together again as seven makes us grateful. We prepared hard because ARMY (our fans) waited for us. It’s a joy to be back and to show ourselves again. There’s excitement but also fear, but with the members and ARMY, we’re not too worried. Q. What message do you most want to convey through this album? Suga: We thought about what is most like us. Rather than something grand, we focused on “us” itself. Jimin: We wanted to say we will keep moving forward. There

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Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. The full-group comeback of K-pop phenomenon BTS at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square is drawing global attention to Korea. More than 260,000 people are expected to gather at the iconic spot in the Korean capital this Saturday. To ensure public saftey, the police and the Seoul Metropolitan Government plan to control access to 31 nearby buildings to prevent overcrowding. In places where large crowds gather, special caution is needed to avoid crowd crush incidents. Why do crowd crush incidents occur? First, let’s look at why crowd crush incidents happen. A crowd crush refers to death caused by pressure. When a large number of people gather in a confined space, the pressure exerted on each individual increases. In particular, if excessive pressure is applied to the chest, it can lead to rib fractures or oxygen deprivation. When oxygen supply decreases, brain activity stops. An adult consumes about 0.2 to 0.3 liters of oxygen per minute, with the brain using the most amount. If deprived of oxygen for two minutes, cerebral cortex cells begin to be damaged.

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Girl group Cosmosy will release “Chance” on Friday ahead of the full release of its second EP, due out on March 31, according to agency NTT docomo Studio. It will be the second prerelease from the group's EP, “of the world,” after “Physics,” which was released last year. On Thursday, the group also performed “Chance” on stage for the first time for a television music chart show. The upcoming mini album will expand Cosmosy’s sci-fi narrative imbued with eastern aesthetics, building on that of its

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Former Big Bang member T.O.P will release his first solo album since debut, marking a major return to music after more than a decade. According to a Friday announcement by his agency, Topspot Pictures, the rapper will release "Another Dimension" on April 3 across major streaming platforms. The album marks T.O.P’s first solo project in 13 years since the 2013 digital single "Doom Dada." He took the lead in producing the new album, overseeing the project over an extended period. In recent weeks, T

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Howard University is at the center of a heated debate after BTS featured the historically Black college in the teaser for its upcoming album, drawing criticism over the animation's depiction of race and whitewashing. The one-minute video for “Arirang” was released March 13 on the group’s official YouTube channel. The teaser opens with the seven BTS members gathered around a gramophone. The scene shifts to 1896 at Howard University, where seven Korean students are depicted recording “Arirang.” Th

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Wonpil of Day6 will hold a solo concert in Seoul on May 1-3, label JYP Entertainment announced Thursday. The three shows are named after his solo EP, “Unpiltered,” which is set for release on March 30. The mini album comprises seven tracks, all co-written by the singer-songwriter. The new release comes about four years after Wonpil's first solo album “Pilmography,” which was supported by his first-ever solo show. Separately, Day6 performed twice in Taipei earlier this month for its tour celebrat

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Singer-actor T.O.P of boy group BIGBANG will release his first solo studio album next month, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut, his agency said Friday. T.O.P will drop "Another Dimension" on April 3, his first full-length solo album since his debut in 2006, according to Topspot Pictures. The artist also revealed teaser clips for two lead tracks, "Studio54" and "Desperado," on his social media accounts. "T.O.P oversaw production of the entire album and invested considerable time in its cr

T.O.PBig Bang

Retailers and hotels in central Seoul were seen Friday ramping up purple-themed marketing campaigns, leveraging the signature color of the global fandom of K-pop titan BTS, with an anticipated comeback concert by the group just a day away. Department stores, hotels and convenience stores are scaling up operations as tourists flock to BTS merchandise shops from early Friday. Companies are also tightening safety measures amid expectations of heavy foot traffic. Lotte Department Store is running a

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Retailers and hotels in central Seoul were seen Frid...

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The ninth EP from P1Harmony sold half a million copies in the first week, a record for the six-member group, agency FNC Entertainment announced Thursday. “Unique” also surpassed the first-week sales of its previous album, eighth EP “Duh!,” in just one day. "Duh!" entered the Billboard 200 at No. 23, and the group's first English-language album “Ex,” released in September last year, claimed the No. 9 spot on the main albums chart. The new album portrays the bandmates as returning to their superhe

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Global K-pop sensation BTS said it wanted to keep Korean sentiment alive in its own way as it prepared to release the new studio album "Arirang," its first full-group project in nearly four years. The seven-member group will drop the 14-track set at 1 p.m. Friday in Korean time, marking its first group release since the anthology album "Proof" in June 2022 and all members completed their mandatory military service. The album takes its name from "Arirang," a beloved Korean folk song often describ

BTS

Singer-actor T.O.P of boy group BIGBANG will release his first solo studio album next month, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut, his agency said Friday. T.O.P will drop "Another Dimension" on April 3, his first full-length solo album since his debut in 2006, according to Topspot Pictures. The artist also revealed teaser clips for two lead tracks, "Studio54" and "Desperado," on his social media accounts. "T.O.P oversaw production of the entire album and invested considerable time in its creation," the agency said in a statement, adding that the release will "showcase his evolved musical world."

Big Bang

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Singer-actor T.O.P of boy group BIGBANG will release...

T.O.PBig Bang

SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top search engine operator Naver Corp....

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When Marga Uy Baula planned her birthday trip to Seoul in January, all the information she had was one date — March 20. Baula was determined to be in Seoul when pop icons BTS dropped their highly anticipated comeback album, “ARIRANG.” “There were no announcements about the comeback yet, but I knew I had to be here,” Baula said. So when more details about the return of the world’s biggest boy band came to light, Baula had a simple plan: enjoy the sights of Seoul on her birthday, and secure a ticket to BTS’ free comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square, scheduled for March 21. As everything fell into place, Baula found herself in Seoul on March 18, just a few days until RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook were set to perform at the biggest stage of their careers. Baula is one of thousands of BTS fans, or ARMYs, who booked flights to Seoul, with or without a concert ticket, to witness BTS’ comeback. After a break of almost four years, K-pop’s biggest act is set to make music history with a large-scale show in the heart of Seoul, one that has filled headlines for mont

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SEOUL, March 20 (Yonhap) -- Global K-pop sensation BTS said it wanted to keep Ko...

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The government has set up an emergency communication hotline with Hybe, the entertainment agency of global K-pop sensation BTS, ahead of the group's comeback concert this week to boost cybersecurity readiness, according to officials Friday. The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and Hybe have set up the three-way communication channel to jointly address potential cybersecurity attacks during the concert to be held at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Saturday, according to the authorities. Police expect around 260,000 people to gather in the area stretching from the square to Sungnyemun Gate, the largest number since the 2002 World Cup, when up to 250,000 people cheered in the streets. The event will be aired on the global streaming service Netflix. KISA will monitor 37 websites related to the event, including those of the agency, around the clock to inspect for security vulnerabilities and provide technical support to ensure stable operations and prevent threats, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Officials from the science

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