{"id":493454,"date":"2026-06-15T06:51:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T06:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/493454\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T06:51:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T06:51:45","slug":"bts-transforms-busan-into-citywide-festival-with-drone-shows-and-fan-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/493454\/","title":{"rendered":"BTS transforms Busan into citywide festival with drone shows and fan events"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"In In tandem with “BTS The City Arirang \u2014 Busan,” a drone light show takes place at Gwangalli Beach in Busan on Friday. (Yonhap) <\/p>\n

BUSAN \u2014 Busan turned red for BTS over the weekend, as the city\u2019s landmarks, beaches and night sky became part of a large-scale celebration marking the group\u2019s first concert in the city in four years and its 13th debut anniversary.<\/p>\n

Through \u201cBTS The City Arirang \u2014 Busan,\u201d Korea’s second-largest city was transformed into an extension of the group\u2019s ongoing \u201cArirang\u201d world tour. Gwangan Bridge, Busan Harbor Bridge and Suyeonggang Human Bridge were illuminated in red, the key color of BTS\u2019 latest album \u201cArirang,\u201d while media facades at Busan Station, Gwangbokro Fountain Square, Grand Josun Busan and the Busan Cinema Center played music videos and themed visuals.<\/p>\n

At Haeundae Beach, a large-scale sand artwork featuring the slogan \u201cKeep Swimming\u201d drew fans seeking photos, while Gwangalli Beach hosted a 1,000-drone show Friday and Saturday night. The drones formed images connected to \u201cArirang\u201d tracks including \u201cSwim,\u201d \u201cNormal,\u201d \u201cHooligan\u201d and \u201cBody to Body,\u201d as well as fan favorites such as \u201cMagic Shop\u201d and \u201cMikrokosmos.\u201d When the faces of the seven members lit up the night sky, the crowd erupted in cheers.<\/p>\n

\"Fans Fans take photos as a blimp carrying a support message for BTS member Jungkook flies above Haeundae Beach in Busan on Friday, behind a sand sculpture inspired by the group\u2019s new song \u201cSwim.\u201d (Yonhap) <\/p>\n

For fans who had traveled from around the world, the citywide celebration was more than a promotional event. It was part of the emotional build-up to BTS\u2019 first Busan concert since 2022\u2019s \u201cYet To Come in Busan,\u201d remembered as the group\u2019s final concert before all seven members started their mandatory military service.<\/p>\n

Russian fan Andriana Iun, who moved to Seoul two years ago, said BTS played a major role in her decision to come to Korea.<\/p>\n

\u201cBack in Russia, I was having a really tough time because of my studies and pressure, and watching BTS videos helped me have fun again,\u201d she told The Korea Herald on Saturday at Haeundae Beach. \u201cThat was the beginning of my story with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Iun described BTS\u2019 return to Busan as another milestone moment for the group.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think history is going to be made again,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Across the city, BTS-themed visuals appeared on some of Busan\u2019s most recognizable landmarks, including Grand Josun Busan and Gwangbok-ro, while major bridges such as Gwangan Bridge, Busan Harbor Bridge and Suyeonggang Human Bridge were illuminated in red \u2014 the signature color of \u201cArirang.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visitors arriving in Busan were greeted by BTS-themed installations beginning at Busan Station. A welcome center at the Busan Eurasia Platform offered photo zones, luggage storage and delivery services, as well as tourism information for visitors in town for the concert.<\/p>\n

\"BTS BTS fans pose for photos at Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where the Busan leg of BTS’ “Arirang\u201d tour took place on Friday and Saturday. (Yonhap) <\/p>\n

Haeundae Beach also emerged as another focal point of the festivities. A giant sand sculpture featuring the phrase \u201cKeep Swimming\u201d drew crowds of visitors, while interactive programs allowed fans to leave congratulatory messages for BTS as well as commemorative messages for the group\u2019s 13th debut anniversary. A beachside \u201cLove Song Lounge\u201d provided fans with a space to relax while listening to BTS\u2019 music.<\/p>\n

The festival extended beyond fan experiences to include collaborations with local businesses. Food and beverage brands across Busan launched BTS-themed menu items, while accommodations, transportation services and retail spaces joined the campaign.<\/p>\n

For many fans, the celebrations carried added meaning because they coincided with BTS\u2019 13th debut anniversary and the group\u2019s reunion following their military service.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t able to watch the first Busan concert, so it means a lot that I\u2019m here now and get to watch all seven (bandmates). We\u2019ve been waiting for them for a long time. It\u2019s exciting to see them together,\u201d Filipino fan Deriz Quintana told The Korea Herald on Saturday at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. \u201cThere was fear that maybe after the military it wouldn\u2019t be the same. But they\u2019re here, they\u2019re together and it\u2019s much better than it ever was.\u201d<\/p>\n

By combining concerts, tourism, local businesses and fan culture, \u201cBTS The City Arirang \u2014 Busan\u201d transformed the city into a major cultural festival, bringing together residents and visitors from around the world in celebration of BTS\u2019 return to Busan.<\/p>\n

lee.jungjoo@heraldcorp.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In tandem with “BTS The City Arirang \u2014 Busan,” a drone light show takes place at Gwangalli Beach…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":493455,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[146,85,46,409],"class_list":["post-493454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-entertainment","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=493454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/493454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/493455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=493454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=493454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=493454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}