BTS comeback is a national event for South Korea that's expected to not just pull the entire fandom towards the K-pop legend's massive comeback, but also
propel the country's economy. In what is being seen as a moment in not just the Korean music industry, but global entertainment and live shows, the boy band of seven: Jin, J-Hope, Suga, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook, have already started bringing in returns for their agency HYBE. BTS is set to make its comeback with its brand new fifth album ARIRANG, followed by an extensive world tour spanning 2026-2027. It was first announced with 79 shows, but seeing the huge turnout of ARMYs queuing up to book their tickets, the organisers added two more shows in North America - Tampa (Florida) and Stanford (California).
BTS comeback to bring growth for South Korean economy
Propelled by the huge anticipation around BTS' return, the impact is turning positive for the entire South Korean broadcasting and entertainment sector. That's because more expectations are riding on the group's global activities, along with potential expansion in content supply for OTT platforms. According to trade sources, the sector saw a robust growth of 2.19 percent from the previous session in the aftermath of improved investor sentiment.
HYBE shares on an upswing
On January 24, the Korea Exchange stated that BTS' management company HYBE closed at 380,000 KRW (approximately 263 USD), up 3.12 percent from the previous trading day. This was following the day of BTS shows' general bookings opening up, along with the pre-orders of ARIRANG crossing 4 million. The cementing and evaluation of newly debuted groups also added to the trading upswing.
As BTS' comeback date nears, major entertainment companies specialising in immersive content and visual effects technology express renewed buying interest at lower price levels. This is bound to lift the overall performance of the economy.
BTS free concert
A day after ARIRANG's release, BTS has also confirmed a free concert. The show will be held on March 21, 2026, at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, marking the band's first performance as a full group in more than three years. Around 15,000 to 20,000 fans are expected to attend, and the entry will be managed through advance registration. The historic square and nearby cultural sites will turn into hubs for the show and filming.
Not just the live audience, BTS' free concert will reach global fans too, as it will be broadcast around the world. Arrangements are being made to stream the event via major OTT platforms to viewers globally, in order to bring the massive fandom across nearly 190 countries under the same umbrella.
About history of ARIRANG
For the unversed, ARIRANG is an iconic Korean lyrical folk song with a deep-rooted meaning in the country's history. Infact, many call it the unofficial anthem, as it represents the core of Korean heritage. It is a cultural symbol embodying themes of joy, sorrow, and perseverance through its countless variations and communal creation.
Interestingly, BTS had performed the Arirang Medley a decade ago, paying tribute to their cultural symbol at KCON 2016 in Paris.
