Busan turns purple for BTS and ARMY — in pictures

Busan’s land and sky were awash in purple on Friday, the first day of BTS’s two-day “Arirang” world tour stop in the coastal city, as well as the start of a two-week-long citywide BTS-themed festival.

Both the second show on Saturday and the festival coincide with the septet’s 13th anniversary since its debut. 

Some 1,000 drones lit up the night sky above Busan’s Gwangalli Beach, forming the words “HELLO ARMY,” referring to the collective name of BTS fans, and other symbolic elements from the band’s latest “Arirang” album as songs — including “Swim,” “Normal” and “Hooligan” — played in the background. The highlight of the show was when the drones formed the faces of the seven members in the night sky.

The Busan edition of the festival, titled “BTS the City Arirang,” started at the welcome center set up at Busan Station, with photo zones and BTS music videos playing on the large light-emitting diode, or LED, screen outside. 

Haeundae Beach was transformed into a theme park, where fans could take pictures in front of a sand sculpture spelling out “Keep Swimming” or visit a listening zone dubbed “Love Song Lounge” and enjoy interactive programs while listening to the group’s songs.

“ARMY Madang,” set up in front of The Bay 101, a cultural facility near Haeundae Beach, offered fans the opportunity to customize T-shirts and light sticks.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [[email protected]]