BTS are extending their global dominance into streaming territory, as Netflix reports that BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG drew 18.4 million viewers worldwide on the platform. The figure positions the concert special among the most-watched music events on the service.
The livestreamed performance took place on March 21, 2026, at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, marking BTS’ first full-group concert in over three years. Staged against the backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the event merged large-scale production with national symbolism, incorporating LED visuals inspired by the South Korean flag. More than 100,000 fans attended in person, with crowds extending over a kilometer from the main stage, while the simultaneous Netflix broadcast expanded its reach far beyond the physical venue.
According to Netflix, the live broadcast reached the weekly Top 10 in 80 countries and secured the No. 1 spot in 24 countries.
Arriving just one day after the release of their fifth studio album ARIRANG, the concert served as a live introduction to the project’s thematic direction. Drawing from the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang,” the album explores heritage and identity through a contemporary lens. New tracks including “Body to Body,” “Like Animals,” and the title track “Swim” received their first live performances, integrated alongside global hits such as “Butter” and “Dynamite.”
RM remained seated for portions of the show after sustaining an ankle injury during rehearsals on March 19, yet maintained a commanding presence throughout the broadcast.
The concert also functioned as a strategic launch point for the Arirang World Tour, scheduled to begin on April 9, 2026, in Goyang.
Photo: Netflix
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