The teaser opened with the sound of a crowd roaring. Then the members started talking.
Netflix released the official trailer and poster for "BTS The Comeback Live Arirang" on March 5, giving fans the first real glimpse of what is coming on March 21. The video opens with cheering fans, the kind of sound BTS has not heard directed at them as a full group in over three years, and the members' voices responding to it. "I really miss them," one of them says.
The scene shifts to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the setting where the comeback performance will begin. RM's narration comes in: "We promised our fans that we'd be back." The teaser moves between daytime and nighttime shots of the palace, the members appearing against one of Seoul's most historic backdrops. Phrases like "The world's biggest band is back" and "Witness the homecoming" appear on screen.
Two moments stood out. V reflects on the time spent apart: "I felt that each and every one of us was evolving in some way." RM, referring to "Swim," the lead track from the upcoming album "Arirang," says: "Seven together, we can do anything. Keep swimming." According to Big Hit Music, RM wrote the lyrics for "Swim" himself. The song is described as being about continuing to move forward through life without stopping, carrying a message about resilience and the love of being alive.
The album "Arirang" releases on March 20. The following evening, BTS will perform at Gwanghwamun Square at 8 p.m. in what will be their first full-group concert since October 2022. The show will be directed by Hamish Hamilton, who has directed the Super Bowl halftime show almost every year since 2010 and has worked with Beyonce, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and Usher. Hamilton also directed the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
Up to 260,000 people are expected in the Gwanghwamun area on concert night. The performance streams live on Netflix in over 190 countries. On March 27, Netflix will also release "BTS: The Return," a documentary following the group as they prepared the album.
The teaser did what teasers are supposed to do. It made March 21 feel very close.