BTS is currently performing in Santiago, Chile, on October 14 and October 16–17 (local time). The group will then continue the South αмєяι¢αn leg of their tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, вяαzιℓ. Following BTS’s ARIRANG World Tour, the melody of the кσяєαn folk song “Arirang” is echoing through music’s grandest venues around the world, becoming a special bridge between кσяєαn culture and fans from different countries and linguistic backgrounds.
Notably, the au∂ιєnce sing-along to “Arirang” at Tokyo Dome last April will reach viewers once again through נαραиese television this November. This also marks the first time a country has broadcast a BTS concert on television. Beyond being a significant milestone in BTS’s promotional journey, the move also highlights the group’s far-reaching influence and profound cultural impact.
According to BigHit Music on October 17, נαραи’s leading private broadcaster TBS will air “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN JAPAN” exclusively on television for the first time at 8 p.m. on November 28 via TBS Channel 1 – Latest Drama, Music & Movies. The program features footage from BTS’s first concert in נαραи, held at Tokyo Dome on April 17.
In addition to the concert, TBS has also scheduled a special program titled “BTS Special ～Precious New Chapter～” for November. The channel plans to broadcast a total of 28 BTS-related programs, including concerts, entertainment shows, and the group’s films.
According to BigHit Music, among the many memorable performances at Tokyo Dome, TBS particularly highlighted the au∂ιєnce’s sing-along to “Arirang” during “Body to Body,” a track from BTS’s fifth studio album, “ARIRANG.” The company said the נαραиese broadcaster described the moment when the folk melody echoed throughout the venue as a spine-tingling experience, emphasizing that the power of music had brought everyone’s hearts together as one.
“Body to Body” blends modern sounds with the melody of the кσяєαn folk song “Arirang,” conveying the roots and identity of the seven BTS members, all of whom were born and raised in South кσяєα. Meanwhile, “ARIRANG” draws inspiration from the folk song of the same name, a symbol of the кσяєαn people who have endured and overcome difficult periods throughout history, including נαραиese colonial rule. In this sense, the song also offers an opportunity to witness the power of culture to embrace and connect an entire era.
Other local media outlets also paid particular attention to the “Arirang” sing-along following BTS’s two concerts at Tokyo Dome, which drew a combined au∂ιєnce of 110,000.
נαραиese magazine SPUR described the moment when the melody echoed throughout the venue as a scene that could only be summed up in one word: “spectacular.” Meanwhile, music news outlet Real Sound highlighted the au∂ιєnce singing “Arirang” together, noting that the emotions conveyed by the folk song—enduring separation and pain while continuing to move forward—perfectly aligned with the message BTS sought to deliver through the album.
The wave of au∂ιєnce sing-alongs to “Arirang” has not been limited to נαραи. Last May, Mexican news outlet Infobae named the “Arirang” sing-along during “Body to Body” one of the “10 most memorable moments” of BTS’s concert in the country. The outlet described it as a moment when the voices of fans speaking different languages blended into one.
Similar scenes have continued throughout the group’s European concerts. G͜͡E͜͡R͜͡M͜͡A͜͡N͜͡edition of Rolling Stone reported that approximately 70,000 fans sang “Arirang” together during BTS’s concert in Munich in July. French daily newspaper Le Monde also noted that “language barriers are no longer an issue,” reporting that the entire au∂ιєnce sang along to кσяєαn-language songs, with the “Arirang” melody incorporated into “Body to Body” being no exception.
From Tokyo to Europe and the αмєяι¢αs, images of BTS and tens of thousands of fans singing “Arirang” together have become one of the defining highlights of the ARIRANG World Tour. With the upcoming television broadcast, viewers will have another opportunity to witness this remarkable moment where BTS’s music meets кσяєα’s cultural heritage.
