{"id":452039,"date":"2026-09-03T09:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/452039\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T09:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:04:21","slug":"k-pop-stars-bts-thrill-fans-in-first-southern-california-show-in-4-years-daily-breeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/452039\/","title":{"rendered":"K-pop stars BTS thrill fans in first Southern California show in 4 years \u2013 Daily Breeze"},"content":{"rendered":"

Near the end of the BTS\u2019s<\/a> first Southern California show since 2021, rapper-singer RM<\/a> told the audience at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 1, how much it means to the group to come back to a place where so many good things have happened for the band.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys have given us so much,\u201d he said during the customary break in which each of the seven BTS members take turns thanking their fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got our first KCON in 2014,\u201d RM said. \u201cWe shot [the BTS reality show] \u201cAmerican Hustle Life\u201d in 2014 in L.A. And we made [new album] \u2018Arirang\u2019<\/a> precisely a year ago in Los Angeles. And now it\u2019s our concert.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you know, I\u2019m speechless,\u201d he continued. \u201cBut I always feel at home when I come to L.A. And we\u2019ll never forget what you have always shown: the love, the support, the truth. We\u2019ll never forget tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member V performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member Jungkook performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member Jimin performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member Jin performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member Suga performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member J-Hope performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS member RM performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

\"BTS<\/p>\n

BTS performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 11<\/p>\n

BTS performs at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. It was the K-pop band\u2019s first Southern California show since December 2021 and will be followed by three more nights at the Inglewood stadium. (Photo courtesy of HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Fans who packed the stadium Tuesday for the first of four BTS<\/a> shows won\u2019t forget this night either.<\/p>\n

BTS<\/a> hadn\u2019t played a full show here since Dec. 2, 2021, when it wrapped up a previous four-night run at SoFi. For many fans, these were the first live performances of the songs on \u201cArirang,\u201d which was released on March 20.<\/p>\n

And it was BTS member Jungkook\u2019s 29th birthday, which provided a bonus thrill for him and the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you so much for congratulating my birthday,\u201d Jungkook told the cheering crowd. \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to spend my birthday with you guys. Also, because we\u2019ve been doing this for such a long time, I wasn\u2019t really expecting an event at a concert, but I guess there was.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was kind of looking forward to it. I was trying not to look forward to it, but because it happened, I am so happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The concert opened with \u201cHooligan\u201d and \u201cAliens,\u201d two of 13 songs off \u201cArirang\u201d performed at the concert. \u201cRun BTS\u201d followed, and three songs in, the audience was locked in like few ever are.<\/p>\n

Each time an image of a different BTS<\/a> member appeared on a video screen overhead, they screamed. Each time one of the seven guys got a vocal spotlight, they screamed a little bit more.<\/p>\n

The production maximized exposure of the band to the fans. A large oval stage sat at the middle of the floor with huge video screens hung overhead. Four long ramps led from the stage through the audience and to the four corners of the floor. At almost no point were you without a good view of the singers and their 20-some backing dancers in person or on screen.<\/p>\n

The band had gone on hiatus during late 2021 and early 2022 when, one by one, each member entered the military to satisfy their mandatory South Korean military service.<\/p>\n

The first act of the show presented BTS as bad boys in black leather jackets and pants, some with dark sunglasses, many with gloves, fingerless and not. It was a tougher look than they\u2019d employed in past concerts, but with Jungkook, at 29, the youngest of the band \u2013 the others range from 30 to 33 \u2013 it felt right for their ages.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey Don\u2019t Know \u2018Bout Us\u201d and \u201cLike Animals\u201d slowed the tempo for a bit. For \u201cSwim,\u201d<\/a> about 30 backing dancers flowed to the stage from the ramps, unfurling sheets of fabric to build around the BTS guys for this number and then for \u201cMerry Go Round,\u201d using the fabric to create one.<\/p>\n

The second act saw BTS shed the black leather for a muted palette of denim and sweatshirts. \u201cNot Today\u201d and \u201cMic Drop\u201d delivered strong rock energy, the latter a highlight with the kind of tight group choreography that the younger BTS often used on most songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFYA\u201d and \u201cFire\u201d both included endless blasts of flames from the edges of the stage. After \u201cBody to Body\u201d and \u201cIdol\u201d closed out the second act with a march around the perimeter of the floor by BTS and their backing dancers, many of whom carried large flags, including some made of LED lights which allowed the patterns to morph and change at any moment.<\/p>\n

At a moment when the band picks a wild card song most nights, BTS announced its pick with the opening notes of \u201cBoy In Luv,\u201d which earned it some of the biggest screams of the night.<\/p>\n

Several of the guys decided it was time to celebrate Jungkook\u2019s birthday, which they did first with a little friendly teasing and joking around on stage, and then by picking the song \u201cMagic Shop,\u201d which Jungkook had a big hand in shaping, to sing as the video screens overhead filled with \u201cHappy Birthday, Jungkook.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s J.K.\u2019s birthday, so today was extra fun,\u201d Jin<\/a> said when it was his turn to address the crowd. \u201cAnd last time in LA, I caught a tuna. It was very delicious. I want to go fishing again. Who wants to come with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Judging from the screams that his question earned, he\u2019s gonna need a bigger boat.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK, J.K., let\u2019s go,\u201d he continued as Jungkook grinned sheepishly. \u201cIf I catch one, I will take a picture, and I give it\u201d \u2013 the picture or the tuna, it wasn\u2019t entirely clear \u2013 \u201cto Jungkook as the birthday present.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, with \u201cPlease\u201d and \u201cInto the Sun,\u201d the concert came to a close, if only for a day.<\/p>\n

BTS plays SoFi again on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and after a few days off \u2013 let\u2019s go fishing with Jin! \u2013 returns to close out its U.S. tour with two more shows on Sept. 5-6.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Near the end of the BTS\u2019s first Southern California show since 2021, rapper-singer RM told the audience at…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":452040,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[7,9,8,2644,6998,420],"class_list":["post-452039","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-california","tag-california","tag-california-headlines","tag-california-news","tag-concerts","tag-music-concerts","tag-things-to-do"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/452039","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=452039"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/452039\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/452040"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=452039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=452039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=452039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}