Top News

BTS Arirang Comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square caused major traffic disruptions and drew criticism from locals, with potential legal action looming. Despite the backlash, the comeback was a smashing success with the title track "SWIM" topping Spotify charts worldwide.

BTS made a grand comeback with their Arirang concert, but what was meant to be a triumph has sparked controversy. The comeback show at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul faced backlash from business owners and local residents after extensive traffic restrictions and the closure of public transport caused major disruptions.

BTS now appears to be on the verge of legal action. Rolling Stone reported that around 250,000 fans attended the free concert, while BBC estimated about 104,000 attendees. Regardless of the exact number, the event reportedly caused significant disruption to local life, with several ceremonies forced to reschedule. Locals criticised HYBE and questioned the Seoul Metropolitan Government for permitting such a massive gathering at a public plaza.

According to Filmfare, there are talks of a potential lawsuit for causing disruption to residents and workers in the area. Many workers reportedly had to take leave on the day of the concert due to road closures.

Despite the backlash, BTS’ Arirang comeback was a record-breaking success. The album achieved 110 million streams in just one day, the highest so far in 2026. Arirang also became the best-selling album of 2026 globally on its first day of release. Moreover, the title track "SWIM" held the No. 1 position on Spotify for consecutive days, followed by "Body to Body" at No. 2.