ARMY assemble! BTS fans from around the world rejoice in Gwanghwamun

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ARMY assemble! BTS fans from around the world rejoice in Gwanghwamun

Published: 21 Mar. 2026, 19:26 Updated: 22 Mar. 2026, 12:25

WOO JI-WON
[email protected]

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

BTS fans pose while waiting for the group's Gwanghwamun performance. [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

"I came today because I just wanted to be here with them [BTS]," said Bambi, a 10-year ARMY, the nom de plume of all BTS fans, who had flown in from Thailand the day before. She didn't even have a ticket to BTS's Gwanghwamun performance. "It's okay if I can't see them up close. Just being here is enough."

Wearing a red top, holding a purple balloon and carrying a bag full of BTS dolls, she was lost at a bus stop near Euljiro Station just after 12 p.m. on Saturday, the day of BTS's long-awaited comeback performance at Gwanghwamun.

Bambi wears a bag full of BTS characters on a bus to Gwanghwamun. [WOO JI-WON]

Bambi had tried multiple times to secure the golden ticket, even trying to pay for it if she had to, "but my payment got cut off," she said. "That's okay. I'll just stick around."

She had landed late the previous night at Incheon International Airport. It was her first visit to Korea in 16 years — all for BTS. "I was in the airport for almost three hours. So many people were in the queue for security."

After letting one full bus to Gwanghwamun pass, she was finally able to board another bus heading near Gwanghwamun Square.Although she had more than eight hours to go until the show started, she worried she had arrived too late.

"I overslept and woke up late," she said.

A billboard displays BTS [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

Bambi is set to fly back to Thailand on Sunday at 7:30 p.m."I will visit several locations participating in the stamp rallies tomorrow."

Still, she will be back soon, for BTS again. She is returning to Korea in April, this time with tickets to the group's concert in Goyang. "I will come here with my parents for the show and stay for three days. Then I will visit Gyeongbok Palace and more," she said.

Around Gwanghwamun on Saturday at 1 p.m., seven hours before the start of the show, many fans had already gathered to soak in the atmosphere.

Valeria Villafana poses with her BTS light stick. [WOO JI-WON]

Valeria Villafana, an exchange student from Mexico, stood out among the crowd, wearing a beautiful purple hanbok.

Though Villafana had secured a standing ticket, she arrived early to explore the area.

A BTS fan for seven years, she was especially excited to hear one particular song. "I love 'Body to Body,' so I want to hear that," she said.

Although this would be her fourth time seeing BTS, she said that this performance felt different.

"I've never come to such a huge event," she said. "I've liked BTS for my entire life. If I can see them face to face, I just want to hug all of the members and cry."

By 3 p.m., many fans without tickets had already secured spots outside the barricades, sitting or standing on the side of the road and preparing themselves to stay until the 8 p.m. show.

Fans have already secured seats outside the venue to watch the performance. [WOO JI-WON]

Laila Lopes, second to left, and Yasmin Machado Dias, far left, wait for BTS's performance [WOO JI-WON]

Laila Lopes and Yasmin Machado Dias were among them, standing on the one side of the road trying to find shelter as police began more strictly enforcing crowd movement.

Despite not having tickets, the two had traveled from Brazil earlier this month just for the performance.

"I've already been to Busan, and now I'm back in Seoul," said Lopes. They had also collected four stamps for BTS's stamp rally, including one at the "Love Song" location in Yeouido.

Ester Joss from Switzerland was walking around searching for a place to settle with fellow ARMYs she had met for the first time today.

"We met through a group chat," the 22-year-old said. The group — made up of fans from countries including Germany and Japan — had all met in person for the first time at 1 p.m. None of them had tickets.

"It wasn't easy to get here," said Joss. "Many of the subway exits were closed."

BTS fans wearing purple hanboks hand out handmade purple scrunchies to fellow fans near Gwanghwamun on March 21.[WOO JI-WON]

She had arrived in Korea on Thursday for the show.

"I'm really excited about the show. It feels like a dream coming true," she said. "I've wanted to see them for a long time, but because of Covid, I couldn't. Now that they're back, I feel really emotional. Most of the songs are new to me, so I'm excited."

This marks her second time seeing BTS, after attending the "Love Yourself: Speak Yourself" concert in Paris in 2019.

"I think today's performance is going to be really special," she said. "ARMYs are everywhere, and I think everyone will sing together. People will bring out their ARMY Bombs [the group's light stick] and just go, 'Let's go.'"

Still, she was concerned about getting home afterward. "My hotel is one hour away. I have to figure out how to go back. It won't be easy. I might take an Uber," she said.

Amy DT, who teaches English in Daejeon, arrived in Seoul at 10 a.m. this morning.

Amy DT wears a hanbok she had bought just for the BTS performance [DANIELA GONZALEZ PEREZ]

After having kimchi jjigae (stew) for lunch, she waited at a cafe before heading to the C zone, where she had secured tickets.

When asked what she was most excited about, she said, "Everything. It has always been my dream to be in Korea and see BTS in person. I've only watched them on screen, so hearing them live will be perfect."

It was her first time seeing BTS. "My second time will be in Goyang," she added.

After the performance, she planned to take a train right back to Daejeon.

Her message to BTS was simple. "I want to say good luck. We've been waiting for you for four years. We trust you. You guys are back as strong as ever, and we love you so much."

BY WOO JI-WON [[email protected]]