BTS faced torrential rain as they launched their $1bn world tour at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, marking their return after a four-year hiatus, as the band members and their fans were caught in heavy downpours during the open-air concert, which took place on April 9, 2026.

Performing Through the Rain

V, one of the band members, said, ‘It’s raining like crazy,’ as he splashed through puddles on the 360-degree stage. Suga humorously compared the venue to ‘a water park,’ while Jimin admitted the conditions left him ‘frustrated and stressed.’ However, he reassured the audience, ‘What’s important is that you’re here with us.’

Despite the challenging weather, the group delivered a high-octane performance with a 23-song setlist, showcasing their energy and enthusiasm for their comeback — the band members had recently completed mandatory military service, and they were visibly re-energized and happy to be back on stage.

Rain and Resilience

V took the rain as an opportunity to perform an impromptu version of the band’s comeback single, ‘Swim,’ lying down on the rain-soaked stage and pretending to do the breast stroke. RM, the band’s leader, reminded fans, ‘Watch out!, while You might get hurt like me,’ referencing his recent ankle injury during rehearsals. RM was back on his feet for the opening night, though he was carried around the stadium on a makeshift throne during a ‘meet the audience’ segment, indicating his torn ligament had not fully healed.

RM told fans from the stage. ‘It’s been three weeks [since the injury] so the doctor said I can perform — It’s not that big of a deal — we just wanted to give it our all today.’

Fan Enthusiasm Unmatched

The rain did not dampen the spirits of the fans, who arrived as early as 06:30 to secure the best spots — Concert-goers took selfies and shared stories under a sea of umbrellas as long queues snaked around the stadium. Even after the show began. Hundreds of ticketless fans braved the rain to listen to their idols outside the venue.

One fan said, ‘Soaked to my underwear,’ but expressed that the most important thing was getting to see the band. Jimin echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘For four years, I couldn’t see you and it was tough, but it’s an honour that I got to see you again.’

The concert featured the band’s new album ‘Arirang,’ which blends Korean folk music with the group’s experimental pop sound. The setlist leaned heavily on new songs, with all but one of the band’s new tracks featured. The concert opened with a dramatic performance of ‘Hooligan,’ a rap track that set the tone for the night, focusing on the tougher side of the BTS sound.

The show included a powerful rendition of ‘Not Today,’ dedicated to ‘all the underdogs in the world,’ with dancers in hockey masks holding fluorescent lights. This was a marked departure from the more melodic pop numbers that brought the band international fame.

Towards the end of the show, V and Jimin broke into an impromptu version of the dance routine for ‘I Need U,’ much to the surprise and delight of their bandmates. The main set ended with an extended version of ‘Idol,’ during which the band walked around the edges of the stadium as fans chanted the chorus from the rafters.

The encore featured ‘Dynamite’ and ‘Butter,’ alongside the nostalgic pop of ‘Mikrokosmos.’ Jin called the show an ‘unforgettable moment,’ while Jungkook remarked, ‘I made a good memory today.’

BTS is scheduled to play another two nights in Goyang, with 40,000 attendees at each show. All of the concerts will be broadcast on WeVerse, a social media platform owned by their record label, Big Hit / Hybe. According to on-screen statistics during Thursday’s show, more than four million fans paid to watch live video from the opening night, which would translate to $168m (£125m) in sales.

Experts predict the Arirang tour could surpass the $2bn haul of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, making it one of the most lucrative concerts of all time. Either way, it will go down in history as the biggest ever tour by a South Korean band, with 85 dates in 34 cities worldwide.