Lima rolls out the purple carpet for BTS ahead of Peru concerts

Lima is turning purple for BTS. The Peruvian capital is lighting up its landmarks, renaming a street and putting on BTS-themed shows as the K-pop megaband prepares for its first concerts in the country.

The Calle Sacramento street in Surco District, Lima, will temporarily be renamed Avenida BTS, or BTS street, from Monday to Sunday. A sign marking the occasion has been set up on the street.

The Arco Morisco arch in Surco District's Friendship Park was lit in purple on Monday and is hosting a light show dedicated to BTS every day through Sunday. The Fantasia Fountain at Magic Water Circuit, located in Lima's Park of the Reserve, will also hold BTS-themed events with music, lights and a water screen performance during the same period.

The festivities come as BTS is set to hold concerts for its "Arirang" world tour on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Estadio San Marcos stadium in Lima. The concerts will mark BTS's first performances in Peru.

BTS kicked off the Latin American leg of its "Arirang" world tour in Bogotá, Colombia, with a two-day concert last Friday and Saturday. After the Peru stop, the tour will head to Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and São Paulo, Brazil.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [[email protected]]