Thousands of fans flocked to a stadium near Seoul on Thursday as K-pop sensation BTS launched their much-anticipated world tour.

After nearly four years away from the stage, members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook returned to perform songs from their past hits alongside tracks from their new fifth album, ARIRANG, released following the completion of their mandatory military service.

Despite heavy rain, more than 40,000 fans filled the venue, marking the group’s first major headline tour performance since their 2021–22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.

The Seoul concerts, scheduled to run through April 12, mark the beginning of an extensive global tour covering dozens of shows across the United States, Europe and Asia. Industry analysts expect the tour to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue each quarter.

The tour kickoff comes weeks after the group staged a free comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square.

All seven members recently completed their mandatory military service, with Suga being the last discharged in June 2025. Due to a shoulder injury, he reportedly fulfilled his duties through alternative service at government-related institutions.

Under South Korean law, all able-bodied men aged 18 to 28 must complete up to 21 months of military service as part of a conscription system aimed at countering threats from North Korea.

The album ARIRANG, named after a traditional Korean folk song considered an unofficial national anthem, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Its lead single “Swim” also topped the charts.

Formed in 2013, BTS — short for Bangtan Sonyeondan (“Bulletproof Boy Scouts”) — rose to global fame with a string of successful releases, including their breakthrough in 2017 when “DNA” entered the Billboard Hot 100, making them the first Korean boy band to achieve the milestone.

The tour will next head to Tokyo before continuing across North America, Europe, South America and Asia, with Australia scheduled for early 2027 and a final stop in Manila next March.