BTS members pose ahead of their comeback performance “BTS COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG”at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of BigHit Music/Netflix
Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul became the stage for BTS’ grand comeback performance on Saturday evening. Much like its setting — the historic square at the heart of the capital — and the album title itself, “ARIRANG,” named after a 130-year-old Korean folk song, the show was widely seen as a statement about the place of Korean culture and identity on the global stage.
Among the many elements that deepened the performance’s Korean resonance, the costumes stood out especially vividly. As BTS danced against the backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, the sight of luminous fabric gliding over dark, subtly shimmering outfits created an impression of both grace and power.
The stage costumes, titled “Lyrical Armor,” were created by Korean designer brand Songzio. The brand’s creative director Jay Song described the pieces as “embodying the spirit of a new generation of heroes who carry the turbulent history of Korea,” on the fashion house brand’s Instagram page.
BTS Jin’s costume, right, and design sketch by Songzio / Captured from Songzio’s Instagram
Blending the sturdy armor worn by warriors of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty with flowing “hanbok” (Korean traditional clothing) garments preferred by artists and singers giving voice to the Korean people’s longings through poetry and folk songs, the designs encapsulate the emotional depth of “han” — a uniquely Korean sentiment of grief and perseverance.
“Korea’s history and emotions stem from the word ‘han.’ It represents not only the essence of Korea itself but also the longing and sorrow born from our tumultuous past,” Song elaborated through interviews with multiple news outlets. “I wanted to reinterpret the BTS members as heroic figures leading Korean culture toward a brighter future.”
He noted that after completing their military service, each BTS member had developed a more distinct sense of identity, which the costumes aimed to express.
BTS RM’s costume, left, and design sketch by Songzio / Captured from Songzio’s Instagram
“Leader RM is the hero, Jin the artist, Jimin the poet, Suga the architect, Jung Kook the vanguard,” he said. “J-Hope embodies the ‘sorikkun’ — a singer of pansori traditional musical storytelling, symbolizing Korean musical spirit and history — while V takes on the role of the sophisticated ‘doryeong,’ the refined Korean gentleman.”
“At first, I tried to reimagine traditional armor. But after layering the materials, they became too rigid. Since there’s a lot of movement during the performance, I incorporated the flexibility of the hanbok to balance strength with freedom,” Song added.
Next, BTS will embark on a massive world tour spanning 34 regions and 82 shows, kicking off in April at Goyang Stadium in Gyeonggi Province.
The designer, who is also discussing concepts for the world tour outfits, is said to have been “working on an idea to reinterpret the Korean flag in the costumes.”