BTS Concludes 'ARIRANG' European Tour with 720,000 Fans.. Grand Finale in Paris

*This content was translated by AI.

The group BTS successfully concluded its 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN PARIS' at the Stade de France in Paris, France, on the 18th (local time), bringing an end to their European tour. On the 17th, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife visited the venue, drawing significant attention.

BTS performed a total of 10 concerts across five cities: Madrid, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; London, UK; Munich, Germany; and Paris, France, meeting with 717,000 fans. Every show sold out immediately upon ticket release, proving the group's status. In every location, the folk song 'Arirang' and Korean sing-alongs erupted, while the stands were filled with a sea of South Korean flags. Furthermore, faces of those wearing hanbok and enjoying the performance enthusiastically were overflowing with happiness.

Especially in Paris, 92,000 fans gathered per show. This marks the highest single-show attendance for any concert BTS has ever held. Paris became a city that added a special narrative to the group's tour history. They previously concluded their 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF'' European performances at the Stade de France in 2019. After 7 years and one month, they returned to the same venue to close out their new European tour. The members said, "We were truly happy and grateful that so many people love us. We were so happy from the start of the European tour all the way to Paris. It was so moving that we wondered when we would ever perform in front of such a large crowd," as they became teary-eyed.

They also stated in French, "Paris is a city of fashion, gastronomy, and romance. And it is the city with the best ARMY (fan club name). Paris has everything I love. We will definitely return." Jin recalled his memory as a torchbearer for the '2024 Paris Summer Olympics', conveying his sincere feelings: "I was on those beautiful streets with you all back then, and I am truly happy to be able to be together again. Thank you for making such a wonderful day for us."

Local media continued to offer high praise. Le Parisien hailed the concert as an explosive and lavish show. Le Monde lauded BTS as "the group that elevated K-pop to the pinnacle of the global music industry," providing an in-depth analysis of their journey from debut to the present. It further analyzed that after a period of hiatus, they appeared more united and stronger, with even greater confidence in their identity. Previously, the German daily Welt spotlighted BTS's return and the global expansion of K-pop. The outlet introduced them as one of the most successful pop groups of our time, citing them as a representative case that transcends Western-centric cultural trends.

BTS set new records across Europe. For the first time by a Korean artist, they entered Brussels' King Baudouin Stadium and Munich's Allianz Arena. According to Live Nation, the concert organizer, they left a monumental milestone at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the highest-attended single show in the history of concerts held there.

BTS injected vitality into all host cities. According to analysis by global real estate and hotel data firm CoStar, the Madrid hotel industry recorded its highest-ever monthly RevPAR (revenue per available room) in June. CoStar identified BTS's concerts held on the 26th and 27th of last month as key events influencing hotel demand. In fact, local hotel occupancy rates reached a staggering 89.5% on the first day of the concert. In London, 'BTS THE CITY ARIRANG - LONDON' was held, creating a cultural space enjoyed by fans, citizens, and tourists alike. The event completed an urban festival that wove the artists' narratives and music into major landmarks such as the London Eye, the River Thames, and the British Museum.

Meanwhile, BTS is set to appear as co-headliners for the halftime show of the '2026 FIFA North American Cup™' final match at New York New Jersey Stadium in New York, USA, on the 20th (Korean time). They will share the stage with legendary pop stars Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber. This holds special significance as it marks the first halftime performance in World Cup final history.

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*This content was translated by AI.