Tag: BTS

I wonder if this style of halftime show will become a continuing trend for future World Cups or just be a one off American thing?:

K-pop supergroup BTS performed in the first-ever halftime show at a FIFA World Cup final on Sunday (U.S. time), sharing the stage with other global pop stars, including Madonna, Shakira and Justin Bieber.

The group appeared as the second performer during the halftime of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, marking a milestone moment that blended sport and music on one of the world’s biggest stages.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

I watched this concert with my family on Netflix and I have to say it was pretty well done. Seoul really showcased itself during the concert:

K-pop megastar BTS held its first full-group concert in Seoul on Saturday since all members completed their mandatory military service, drawing fans from around the world to the heart of the South Korean capital.

The seven members delivered the first live performance of key tracks of its fifth studio album, “Arirang,” released on Friday, at Gwanghwamun Square.

The record is the first group release from the band in three years and nine months, following “Proof” in June 2022. After the release, the members took a break from its group projects with a promise to reunite as a full group after all its member complete their mandatory military duty.

The one-hour show opened with approximately 50 traditional Korean dancers in black costumes lining the “woldae,” a ceremonial stage in front of Gyeongbok Palace’s main gate. As the performers split into two groups, the seven members revealed themselves on a stage at the northern end of the square, drawing enthusiastic cheers from thousands of fans who crowded the venue.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but one thing I noticed watching the concert was that the U.S. Embassy was totally dark. The other buildings around Gwanghwamun were lighted and decorated for the concert and the U.S. embassy stood out as the lone dark building I noticed. I wonder if anyone from Netflix even approached the U.S. embassy to see if they would be willing to at least turn their lights on for the concert?

Big salute to Jin for completing his mandatory military service instead of trying to find some kind of exemption to get out of it:

Jin, the oldest member of K-pop supergroup BTS, was discharged from his 18 months of mandatory military service Wednesday, with fans worldwide eagerly anticipating his return to the music scene.

After hugging his fellow soldiers in turn during a brief, teary farewell ceremony inside the 5th Army Infantry Division in Yeoncheon, 61 kilometers north of Seoul, the singer walked out of the compound at about 9 a.m. to be welcomed by his bandmates.

During his service, he served as an assistant drill instructor at the Army recruit training center there.

After saluting in front of the main gate, Jin received a bouquet of flowers and was seen smiling brightly as he reunited with five of his bandmates — J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. RM, currently serving in a military brass band, marked the occasion with a celebratory saxophone performance of the band’s megahit single “Dynamite.”

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.

With such short mandatory service times in Korea there is not much training V is going to receive to make him a very effective special operator. I wonder if he volunteered for this unit or the ROK military put him in it for publicity reasons?:

Photos of K-pop supergroup BTS member V in the gear of a counter-terrorism unit have been unveiled, a Facebook page on the South Korean military showed Thursday.

Images of V wearing pitch black Special Duty Team (SDT) attire were released Wednesday on the page, which serves as an anonymous bulletin board for military service members.

V enlisted in the military last December for his mandatory service and was accepted to join the military police during boot camp training, according to the Army.

The BTS member has since been assigned to the SDT, which focuses on counter-terrorism and other special operations, under the Army’s 2nd Corps.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.