El Paso has hosted major tours and stadium‑sized performances in recent years, drawing fans from across the region to venues such as the Sun Bowl and Don Haskins Center.
As BTS, one of the world’s most recognizable music acts, brings its live show to El Paso Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3, many residents may be hearing the group’s name for the first time.
From sold‑out concerts to a devoted international fan base, the band’s global reach has made its concerts highly anticipated events wherever they stop. Here’s a brief look at who BTS is and why their arrival in El Paso has drawn so much attention.
BTS fans line up early for merch sales in El Paso
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Gina Rodriguez, a fan of BTS for a decade, picks out the merchandise she wants after becoming the first in line to buy merchandise Friday, May 1, 2026, outside the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. Rodriguez said she had been in line since 3:30 a.m., a day before the band’s first concert.
Who is BTS?
BTS is a seven‑member South Korean pop group formed by Big Hit Entertainment, now part of HYBE.
K-pop boy band BTS perform onstage during comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. The free concert is the band’s first performance in nearly four years.
What does BTS stand for?
BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan, which translates to “Bulletproof Boy Scouts.” The group is also known as the Bangtan Boys or uses the name “Beyond the Scene.”
BTS concert stage is set, get an early look inside the Sun Bowl in El Paso
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BTS stage is assembled for the South Korean K-Pop group performance at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas on May 1, 2026. The Korean group will perform two shows in the border city on May 2 and May 3.
When did BTS debut?
The group debuted in 2013 with the single album “2 Cool 4 Skool.”
Who are the members of BTS?
The members are RM, Jin, Suga, J‑Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook.
Fans of K-pop boy band BTS share a moment ahead of the BTS World Tour ‘Arirang’ at Goyang stadium on April 09, 2026.
What genre is BTS?
BTS performs K‑pop music that blends pop and hip‑hop influences.
More: El Paso BTS fan arrives at 3:30 am to be first in line for merch
BTS Arirang tour setlist
The following is the setlist from their concert on April 26 in Tampa, Florida.
“They don’t know ’bout us”
“Come Over” (Encore begins)
Why is BTS well known?
BTS has gained global recognition and has an international fan base known as ARMY.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Who is BTS? What to know about K-pop group coming to El Paso, Texas