"From the water to space, finally into the flames": BTS's "world created with four songs".. Overseas critics' review [K-EYES]

*This content was translated by AI.

BTS (RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, Jungkook) returned to the stage of the 'iHeartRadio Music Festival' held in Las Vegas, USA, for the first time in six years, drawing attention from overseas music media outlets to their performance concept that connected four songs into a single flow and the members' powerful performances.

On the 18th (local time), BTS took the final stage of the first day of the '2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival' held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, USA. They performed four songs: 'SWIM', '2.0', 'MIC Drop', and 'FYA'.

Instead of presenting each of the four songs separately, they created a single performance that began underwater, moved through a warehouse, passed through a tunnel, advanced into space, and concluded in a burning desert.

Singapore-based music media outlet Bandwagon, in its review published on the 21st, evaluated BTS's stage as connecting the four songs 'SWIM', '2.0', 'MIC Drop', and 'FYA' into "one evolving visual world." The analysis noted that based on the industrial imagery of the '2.0' music video, the stages for all four songs were linked like a continuous space.

The opening song 'SWIM' began underwater.

Bandwagon explained that the camera passed through cracks in a massive concrete wall before revealing the seven members standing before a giant aquarium. As water rose and waves grew increasingly rough, blue and white lights alternately filled the stage. The media described this scene as creating an "immersive, almost claustrophobic" atmosphere.

In the following song '2.0', the direction of the stage shifted upward.

The members appeared in a vast warehouse space that seemed to stretch endlessly, with lights illuminating each level one by one. As RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook moved across different levels, the surrounding space expanded accordingly. Bandwagon analyzed this ascent as a scene that visually represented the 'progression' conveyed throughout the entire performance.

In 'MIC Drop', the direction changed once again.

After '2.0' concluded, darkness fell, and the seven members reappeared in silhouette. The members then passed through a tunnel and advanced into a cosmic space filled with stars, nebulae, and galaxies.

Bandwagon pointed out that while the movement in the previous songs was directed "upward," it shifted to forward motion in 'MIC Drop.' The performance world, which began in an industrial setting, expanded through the tunnel into outer space.

In the final song 'FYA', space transformed into a burning desert.

Seven comets traversed the cosmos, and one of them turned red before falling to Earth. After the comet collided with the desert, flames spread and engulfed the surrounding landscape. During the song's breakdown section, orange lighting shifted to intense white light. Bandwagon described this as an "explosive finish" to the journey connected by the four songs.

U.S.-based music media outlet Headline Planet evaluated BTS's four-song performance as symbolizing "growth, liberation, and progression." The outlet noted that transitions between each song were strongly linked, and the seven members' choreography and microphone performances drove the stage forward.

Notably, fan reactions at the were also remarkable. Headline Planet reported that fans gathered at the venue even before BTS appeared, wearing merchandise and exchanging gifts while waiting for the performance. After BTS took the stage, the atmosphere in the venue changed dramatically compared to previous performances, with the 'MIC Drop' fan chant being particularly memorable.

Headline Planet viewed BTS's stage not merely as a performance tailored for audiences at an American pop music festival. The outlet assessed that while the songs held special meaning for devoted fans, they were also accessible and impactful for first-time listeners of BTS. However, since the performance ended without a traditional curtain call, some audience members who anticipated an encore may have felt it concluded somewhat abruptly.

On this day, BTS shared the stage with American pop, country, rock, and hip-hop artists. The first-day lineup included Cardi B, Goo Goo Dolls, Kenny Chesney, Weezer, and Zara Larsson, with BTS closing out the final performance slot.

Bandwagon evaluated that through this performance, BTS demonstrated not only their return to a festival stage but also "showed where they're headed next."

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*This content was translated by AI.