BTS Faces Lit Up by Drones as 'Arirang' Fever Sweeps Busan

BTS met fans on June 12 and 13 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium during the Busan stop of its Arirang World Tour. The event brought together fans from around the world through the offline concert, online streaming on the global superfan platform Weverse, and live viewings in more than 80 countries and regions.
The concert was especially meaningful because it was held to coincide with the group's debut anniversary on June 13. The members expressed their affection for one another on stage and through the fan platform, celebrating their 13th year together.
■ Disappointment over concert delays and live-stream interruptions
On stage that day, leader RM said, "Seeing you have fun is the greatest gift for us." After the concert, he added, "I am deeply happy that we can make memories together and grow older year by year, and I still love that we can shout for someone." He went on to say, "I keep seeing myself through you," and added, "Do you feel the same? Thank you again for spending this precious anniversary with us," expressing his gratitude to fans.
Still, the meaningful celebration was not without disappointment. The first day's concert began 75 minutes later than scheduled because of confusion in on-site operations and delays at the entrance, and HYBE issued an official apology after the show ended. The second day went more smoothly than the first, but it still started about 25 minutes late. During the live viewing, the stream was interrupted near the end of the concert.
One audience member at a CJ CGV theater said, "I couldn't get a ticket for June 13, so I was glad I could at least watch it in a theater. I would have regretted it if I hadn't seen it." The person added, "I wish the volume had been a little louder. The stream cut out during the last song, and I could hear the audience sighing."
Another viewer said, "It was great to celebrate BTS's 13th anniversary with the Busan concert on Saturday, June 13, but there was a broadcast incident during the scene where they were singing the last song," and complained, "Isn't there any way to be compensated?" Another audience member also pointed out, "The concert was really good, but action is needed regarding the interruption in the stream near the end."
■ 1,000 drones light up the night sky over Gwangalli Beach
The citywide festival 'BTS The City Arirang Busan,' which turned Busan into a celebration to match the BTS concert, drew residents and tourists alike and filled the city with a festive atmosphere.
According to Big Hit Music on the 14th, 1,000 drones lit up the night sky over Gwangalli Beach at 10 p.m. on June 12. The drones flew in unison to songs from Arirang World Tour, including "Swim," "Normal," "Hooligan," and "Body to Body," as well as the group's signature tracks "Magic Shop" and "Mikrokosmos."
The drones precisely recreated key visuals from the album in the sky, including the phrase "Hello ARMY," pixel art of a swimmer, a sailing ship, and masks. Cheers erupted across the area when the faces of all seven members appeared overhead. The Gwangalli drone show continued at 10 p.m. on June 13, the group's debut anniversary.
The spectacular sights extended to Busan's major landmarks. The iconic Big Roof at Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu was transformed into a media art space using tens of thousands of lights, while BTS music videos were screened at major sites such as Land Chosun and Gwangbok-ro Media Pole. Bridges that symbolize Busan, including Gwangan Bridge, Busan Harbor Bridge, and Suyeong River Human Bridge, were also bathed in red lighting, the signature color of Arirang, adding to the excitement of the festival.
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter