On the 13th, Big Hit Music announced: “BTS successfully completed the first shows of ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ at the Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium on the 9th and 11–12th.” The concerts attracted a total of approximately 132,000 attendees. This figure does not include au∂ιєnces who joined the ‘Live Viewing’ screenings in cinemas across major countries and regions worldwide, as well as viewers from 94 countries and regions who watched via livestream on the global fan platform Weverse.
This concert is being seen as a strong declaration of the “next chapter” – BTS 2.0. Instead of focusing on the sharp, synchronized choreography that once defined their signature style, the group shifted toward emphasizing stage direction, messaging, and interaction with the au∂ιєnce. The fusion of traditional кσяєαn elements with modern technology created a distinctive experience, clearly demonstrating the group’s determination to innovate.
Music magazine NME awarded the K-pop superstars’ Goyang concert 4.5 out of 5 stars, commenting: “Connection and identity rule in this spectacular stadium show. BTS’ first world tour in nearly seven years weaves elements of traditional кσяєαn culture into a high-tech, modern production.”
However, not all au∂ιєnces responded positively to this change. Immediately after the first night, mixed reactions began to surface on social media. Some fans expressed disappointment with the setlist, hoping to hear more older songs. Others pointed out that only 3 out of 23 performances featured large-scale choreography, which they felt fell short of expectations for a group often regarded as “performance masters.”
Amid the wave of divided opinions, leader RM made a notable move. After wrapping up the three-day concert, he shared a post compiling recent moments, from onstage performances to everyday snapshots taken among cherry blossoms. However, what drew the most attention from netizens was an image that seemed the most “out of place” compared to the others.
The image featured the Egyptian pyramids alongside a humorous one-star review reading “Too Much Sand,” accompanied by the caption: “When I seem so lacking and others criticize me... Let’s remember that even pyramids get malicious comments.” The metaphorical message quickly spread online, with many interpreting it as RM’s subtle response to the criticisms he and BTS have faced following the kickoff of their world tour.
RM’s calm, witty, and characteristically sarcastic reaction once again sent fans into a frenzy. His logic was clear: if even a timeless wonder of humanity that has endured for thousands of years can receive a “1-star” rating for superficial and subjective reasons, then it is inevitable that an artistic performance will face mixed opinions. At the same time, RM cleverly reduced harsh criticism to soмєтнing trivial and irrational, implicitly affirming that BTS’s stature and legacy would not be shaken by such comments.
Fans enthusiastically reacted: "He is done with all the criticisms people got against him and tannies", "I’m so glad they recognize the hate isn’t genuine, it’s just people hating for the sake of it", "Tell them NAMJOONNNNNN!!! PROPLE ARE JUST BITTER CAUSE THEY CAN'T EVEN COMPARE!!!!", "CLOCK EM DADDY JOON", "Just like what he said last night he doesn't give a fvck anymore", "I love it when they don't give a sh1t about them",...
In fact, the controversy does not stop at the concert. Discussions about BTS’s transformation have continued since the release of their album “ARIRANG.” Many argued that the album contains too many English lyrics and collaborations with international producers, diluting the traditional K-pop identity. Additionally, the hip-hop and rap elements—once the group’s foundation since debut—were said to be less prominent, seemingly contradicting their claim of a “return to their roots.”
Beyond his recent post subtly addressing these controversies, RM also personally explained the reason behind the changes during the second night of the concert. He said: “We are showing a lot of changes, including our music, but what truly matters remains unchanged: the fact that the seven of us have chosen to continue this journey together.”
He continued: “We are all over thirty now. As independent individuals who have worked for 15 years, we made this decision (to stay together). So, I hope you can trust us a little more and generously watch over and enjoy our evolution. Please, trust us just once more.”
Other members also acknowledged public opinion and spoke up alongside their leader. Jungkook shared: “No matter the situation, I hope you know that all my actions and my heart toward you are sincere. In the future, I will continue to give my all, even to the point of ‘breaking my body’ for you. Therefore, if you just wait for me, I will become a great singer who repays you with a variety of cool and impressive performances.”
Meanwhile, j-hope revealed that he had carefully considered this new direction. “We are always thinking about how to better convey emotions. All seven of us are sincere on stage, and we have many performances prepared for you in the future. We will bring you the best performances,” he said confidently.
While declaring their transformation, BTS has only further demonstrated their unwavering sincerity toward their team and fans—soмєтнing that has always been at the core of who they are. Through this concert, they proved that although their performance style may have changed, their attitude toward the stage and their sincerity toward music and their fans remain completely unchanged.
