Offline turnout dips, but global viewership surges for BTS comeback show
March 25, 2026: K-pop supergroup BTS’s much-anticipated comeback concert in Seoul drew fewer fans than expected, sparking widespread discussion online. While authorities had prepared for nearly 2.6 lakh attendees, estimates suggest that only around 48,000 to 80,000 people turned up at Gwanghwamun Square for the event. The concert celebrated the release of their new album Arirang and marked their return after nearly four years.
Despite the lower physical turnout, the concert achieved massive success online. The livestream on Netflix reportedly attracted around 18.4 million viewers, entering the Top 10 in 80 countries and reaching number one in 24. Officials suggested that discrepancies in attendance figures may be due to counting methods that excluded many international fans using foreign SIM cards, who reportedly made up a significant portion of the audience.
The event also impacted local businesses, many of which had anticipated larger crowds but reported lower-than-expected sales. BTS’s comeback follows a hiatus due to mandatory military service, and their album Arirang has already seen strong sales. The group is now set to begin a global tour, starting with performances in Gyeonggi Province, marking a major return to the international stage.