BTS fans express disappointment online after first ARIRANG world tour concert in Seoul
The group opened the tour on April 9 at Goyang Stadium, with a set lasting more than two and a half hours
BTS have launched their ARIRANG World Tour with a concert at Goyang Stadium in South Korea, prompting mixed reactions from fans regarding performance style and production.
The group opened the tour on April 9 with a set lasting more than two and a half hours, performing 23 songs from their latest album ARIRANG alongside earlier hits including “Idol” and “Dynamite”. The show featured multiple segments combining live performances, ment sections and VCR interludes.
Following the concert, fans shared divided opinions online. Some expressed disappointment at the limited choreography, lack of solo stages and reduced audience interaction, while others raised concerns about stage design and overall production quality. Weather conditions were also cited, with heavy rain affecting the performance.
Others commented on the format and pacing of the show, noting differences compared with previous tours and questioning how the group would sustain momentum over an extended schedule. Concerns were also raised about fewer dance elements and the absence of individual performances.
However, many fans defended the group, pointing to the weather and the demands of a long tour.
The setlist included tracks such as “Run BTS”, “Fake Love”, “Butter” and “Permission to Dance”, with “Come Over” performed live for the first time. Jimin and V also revisited choreography from “I Need U” during the show.
In a Billboard interview published on April 8, Bang Si-hyuk said the group chose to prioritise musical delivery over high-energy choreography, adding that some routines were deliberately reduced after testing different approaches.
