Low on cheers, not on noise: BTS promises ‘better days ahead’ as they return for live concert in South Korea

No shouting, cheering, or chanting — these were some of the restrictions that fans had to follow as megastars BTS took the stage for their live performance in Seoul, South Korea, two years after the Covid-19 pandemic altered the world’s reality. But that didn’t dampen the euphoric rhythmic mood.

In fact, it is something which the band will cherish for a long time as they confessed that they were “sick and tired” of virtual shows.

“We were so sick and tired of going online (for shows, and good that) it’s about to end. I didn’t know how precious it was to see each and every one of you in person and jump together. We had taken it for granted, but today, we knew what to expect… We put so much effort into this concert despite the restrictions,” RM said.

“It feels a lot better than the online concert. I really feel like we took a giant step with this. We’re home now and it is so meaningful to us. Seeing you all makes me so happy and looking back, this will be a memory. We can tell this story to our sons and daughters and tell them that we only clapped for shows,” he added, referencing physical clappers which were given to the fans.

The South Korean septet, RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook, plugged in the chord for live music at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul for the first of their three shows on March 10. The gig not only marked their return with a show for a live audience in South Korea, but was also the first one after Jimin and V’s recovery from Covid. Apart from the no singing restriction to comply with the pandemic protocols, there was also a limit on the attendees. “We’ve done a show without an audience, but not one without shouting. We feel awkward too,” said Suga while interacting with the audience.

The sounds were as high as the energy as the concert moved like a wave, segueing from peppy to emotional ballad, infused with optimism and joy. The band, which had several online concerts and ground tour in Los Angeles in the past two years, performed on their hit tracks including DNA, Outro: Wings, Blue and Gray, Fake Love, Life Goes On, Dynamite and Permission to Dance.

Getting emotional, J-Hope admitted, “Honestly, for 2.5 years with the pandemic, I wasn’t sure when it was going to end. I was missing and waiting on you all… But today, all those concerns were washed away”.

It was a happy moment for the fans as well who were seen waving purple LED wands, the official colour of BTS fandom, in sync with the rhythms and sounds. Jin was excited to see the response, and exclaimed, “I was worried about the concert when I heard that fans could only participate by clapping. But all of you are enjoying it so much”.

The band also took their performance to a van, which moved around the stadium. “ARMY, instead of your voices, you clapped today and that made me want to hear your voice even more,” confessed V.

To this, Jimin added, “We have missed each other so much. I felt like I was back home”.

Kook looked at the positive side, and said, “We were expecting to enjoy this show with the stadium full, so it is a bit unfortunate. Anyway, we have better days ahead and we will find an answer”.