(Yonhap Feature) BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
BTS fans line a street near the K-pop group's comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) "I'm looking forward to seeing all the members together. People and safety personnel crowd a street near BTS' comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) hague@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang' BTS to stage concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return BTS fans flock to Seoul overnight to get glimpse of K-pop megastar's comeback concert Police boost security at Gwanghwamun Square amid festive mood over BTS' comeback concert Downtown bus, subway lines diverted due to BTS concert Keywords #BTS concert #fans Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees (2nd LD) N. Korea, U.S. conduct joint drills Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) At least 50 injured in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) Downtown Seoul braces for massive crowd at BTS comeback concert (2nd LD) 53 injured, 14 unaccounted for in fire at Daejeon car parts plant (LEAD) BTS leader RM injures ankle ahead of Gwanghwamun concert Finance chief says BTS concert expected to generate great amount of economic value Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N. Korea's Kim oversees combined drill involving battle tanks prev (Yonhap Feature) BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage Next (Yonhap Feature) BTS fans come out early to get close to concert stage

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(ATTN: ADDS fans' remarks, photos, byline)
By Lee Haye-ah and Kim Hyun-soo
SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- At 7 a.m., two dozen BTS fans were already lined up against a barricade with a view of the stage where the K-pop group will perform Saturday.
The concert, marking the release of BTS' new album, "Arirang," will begin at 8 p.m., but the hourslong wait is nothing compared to the more than three years they have waited for the band's full-group comeback, said one Danish fan.
"We've been waiting here since 6 a.m. because we weren't able to get tickets," said the 30-year-old, who was joined by a friend. "I think this spot will be closer to the stage than the seats behind it."
The Dane said she has been on a working holiday program in South Korea, and her choice of the country was in part influenced by BTS.
BTS fans line a street near the K-pop group's comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
"I'm looking forward to seeing all the members together. I'll be waiting while listening to their new album," she said.
Two friends from the Philippines had traveled to South Korea to witness the return, but they spent little time at their hostel before getting up at 4 a.m. to secure a spot near the stage.
To last them through the day, they were armed with food, water and hand warmers, as the weather was still chilly early in the morning and late at night.
"We waited four years for their comeback, so 12 hours is nothing," one of them said, adding they plan to travel around the country after the concert to visit BTS-related sites.
Police expect around 260,000 people to gather in the area stretching from Gwanghwamun Square, where the stage has been set up, to Sungnye Gate, over a kilometer away.
Security is tight as authorities plan to deploy around 15,000 safety management personnel, including some 6,700 police officers, and bus and subway lines have been partially diverted.
Alejandra Bernal, a 28-year-old Mexican who lives in South Korea, was farther out from the stage, near the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, hoping to watch the show on a screen.
"We don't have tickets, but we plan on staying here until 9 p.m.," she said, describing herself as a fan since 2019.
Pamela Prado, who flew from Bolivia to watch the concert, was also aware that she may not come face to face with the septet.
"It feels like they are here in front of us ... I'm going to cry a lot," she said.
People and safety personnel crowd a street near BTS' comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- People and safety personnel crowd a street near BTS' comeback stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21, 2026. (Yonhap) hague@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Seoul glows red as fans gather to celebrate new BTS album 'Arirang' BTS to stage concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return BTS fans flock to Seoul overnight to get glimpse of K-pop megastar's comeback concert Police boost security at Gwanghwamun Square amid festive mood over BTS' comeback concert Downtown bus, subway lines diverted due to BTS concert Keywords #BTS concert #fans Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Ex-U.S. officials voice concerns about Trump gov't 'vacating' deterrence assets from Indo-Pacific amid Iran war Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees Most Saved Netflix, BTS to turn Seoul into world's 'biggest watch party' (LEAD) FM Cho sidesteps questions on whether U.S. asked Seoul to send warships to Middle East Four decades of Damien Hirst on display at MMCA, from shark to cherry blossoms Korean Pavilion at Venice Biennale seeks comfort through art, with Han Kang's sculpture of blackened trees (2nd LD) N.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: ADDS fans' remarks, photos, byline) By Lee Haye-ah and Kim Hyun-soo SEOUL, March 21 (Yonhap) -- At 7 a.m., two dozen BTS fans were already lined up against a barricade with a view of the stage where the K-pop group will perform Saturday.
- The concert, marking the release of BTS' new album, "Arirang," will begin at 8 p.m., but the hourslong wait is nothing compared to the more than three years they have waited for the band's full-group comeback, said one Danish fan. "We've been waiting here since 6 a.m. because we weren't able to get tickets," said the 30-year-old, who was joined by a friend. "I think this spot will be closer to the stage than the seats behind it." The Dane said she has been on a working holiday program in South Korea, and her choice of the country was in part influenced by BTS.
- Police expect around 260,000 people to gather in the area stretching from Gwanghwamun Square, where the stage has been set up, to Sungnye Gate, over a kilometer away.
- Pamela Prado, who flew from Bolivia to watch the concert, was also aware that she may not come face to face with the septet. "It feels like they are here in front of us ...

### Expert Commentary
This article covers bts, concert, seoul topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 817.