[Photo] OSEN DB.
On September 30, at Incheon International Airport, flashing cameras greeted BTS as they arrived at the departure hall, with all eyes instantly turning to the eldest member, Jin.
On this day, Jin appeared wearing a custom-made t-shirt printed with a massive close-up photo of youngest member Jungkook’s face. This unexpected display of ‘maknae love’ by the eldest member instantly cracked up the members, fans, and press alike. The members swarmed around Jin, pointing at his shirt and bursting into laughter, while Jungkook himself could not hide his amusement. Right before a potentially exhausting long-haul flight, the eldest member’s wit and the deep chemistry among the members turned the departure hall into a sea of cheerful laughter.
Radiating playful energy as they boarded the plane, BTS has officially begun painting the South American continent in purple. This departure marks the journey for their ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ South America tour.
The concerts held on October 2-3 (local time) at Estadio El Campín in Bogota, Colombia, drew a massive crowd of 100,000 attendees over two days, achieving phenomenal success. Major local media outlet ‘Rolling Stone en Español’ praised it as ‘the most anticipated concert for an entire generation,’ naming it one of Colombia’s major cultural events of the year. They added, ‘BTS met expectations and exceeded them at numerous moments,’ offering unsparing acclaim.
Carrying the vibrant energy of Bogota, the group’s next stop is Lima, Peru. BTS will continue their tour at Estadio San Marcos on October 7 and October 9-10.
Currently, the entire city of Lima has transformed into a massive festival ground to welcome BTS. The Santiago de Surco district temporarily designated Calle Sacramento as ‘Avenida BTS’ (BTS Avenue) from October 5 to 11, complete with special street signs.
Major tourist landmarks have also become stages for BTS. The Arco Morisco, a landmark in Surco Friendship Park, lights up every night with purple illumination and light shows. At the Fuente de la Fantasía, a special fountain show featuring BTS-themed music, lights, and water screens captivates the eyes and ears of fans during the same period.
Going beyond a simple K-pop concert, BTS has evolved into a powerful platform driving tourism and cultural festivals across South America. Global attention is now focused on the ‘Arirang’ that their energy will create.
