BTS has left yet another iconic moment in K-pop history with a large-scale comeback show that bathed Gwanghwamun Square in purple. This performance, attended by approximately 100,000 people and livestreamed simultaneously to more than 190 countries and regions via Netflix—an unprecedented scale—was enough to announce to the world the return of BTS, who continue to maintain their status as a “top boy group” in the global music market.
Standing prominently at Gwanghwamun Square, a place where кσяєα’s past, present, and future intersect, BTS introduced their new songs for the first time during a performance that lasted about an hour. Notably, during “Body to Body,” singers and musicians from the National Gugak Center drew attention by performing the traditional folk song “Arirang” live, which was incorporated into the latter part of the track.
During the performance of “Swim,” more than 100,000 fans in attendance chanted “Swim! Swim!” and sang along to the chorus. When global нιтs such as “Butter” and “Dynamite” played, Gwanghwamun Square shook with waves of purple from ARMY Bombs.
While every performance was impressive and outstanding, one moment that deeply moved fans and is currently spreading across social media was SUGA’s reaction as he immersed himself in the melody of “Like Animals.” In several videos capturing his performance, fans could clearly see the sparkle in his eyes and feel his surging emotions as he rapped—and even after putting down the mic, as he looked out at the au∂ιєnce.
One fan wrote, “Yoongi closing his eyes and singing along to ‘Like Animals’—I think he really likes the song.” Another shared a clip, saying, “Yoongi looked so sentimental throughout ‘Like Animals’; he was mouthing the lyrics and feeling every single moment with his entire being. That song clearly means the world to him.”
In fact, SUGA has previously admitted that “Like Animals” is his favorite track on this album. Interestingly, he liked it so much that he seriously requested the members include it in Arirang. He even said, “If it wasn’t included, I was going to bring it myself!”—implying he would have released it as his solo track, showing just how deeply attached he is to the song.
Within the overall Arirang album, “Like Animals” stands out as a bold statement about instinct and liberation—a desire to break away from past images and step into a new era. The song’s use of “animal” imagery goes beyond mere rebellion; it serves as a metaphor for confronting one’s most primal self in a world filled with pressure and control. Its themes of self-reflection, society, and raw emotion—as well as its musical tone—closely align with SUGA’s artistic identity.
Witnessing this emotional side of SUGA in “Like Animals,” fans flooded social media with comments: "As he should, it's a masterpiece", "he literally fought for that song to be on the album", "Love how he’s just taking it all in so happily", "He was incredible. And he looked 17 years old", "I love watching him taking in the song...of course through my tears because I was bawling. Its such a beautiful song. Thank you Yoongi for fιgнтing for Like Animals to be on the album", "My baby, he was so emotional", "This song feels like it came straight out of D-day",...
Meanwhile, following the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young stated on social media: “The voices of BTS, returning after 3 years and 5 months, echoed throughout Gwanghwamun Square, bathed in purple light, and the dynamic performances created by the full group drew admiration from fans,” adding, “We extend our gratitude to the many citizens who endured inconvenience for this concert, which was broadcast to over 190 countries worldwide, as well as to all those involved—including volunteers and public officials—who worked hard to ensure a safe event.”
According to data compiled by Victor News on articles containing the keywords “BTS,” “Gwanghwamun,” and “Arirang” as of 12:00 PM on March 22, based on the portals Naver and Daum, there were a total of 1,047 articles, 2,621 comments, and 13,050 engagements. In terms of online sentiment, Daum recorded the highest number of “likes” (7,307, or 55.99%), reflecting the strong positive impression left by the performance.
International media also showed extraordinary interest. The New York Times created a dedicated 'Return' section on its website to cover the performance, stating, 'This concert, held in the historic heart of Seoul, was a grand return for BTS, the core engine of South кσяєα’s soft power.' Meanwhile, the Nikkei Asia reported, 'Through songs and staging that emphasized кσяєαn identity, BTS showcased K-pop to the world from Gwanghwamun Square in the center of Seoul.'
