The performance began with a fusion of traditional Korean instruments and modern elements to build a sense of anticipation. Near about fifty dancers marched in a grid formation on the upper platform of Gyeongbokgung Palace, splitting to the sides to form a path for BTS’ entrance. They announced the official start of the performance, “Hello, Seoul! We’re back.”

Body to Body incorporates a melody from the traditional Korean folk song ARIRANG. It opened the event to roaring cheers from the audience. Fans admired the stunning visuals and intricate choreography of the track. The larger-than-life show featured a 12-song setlist, including eight tracks from the ARIRANG album performed live for the very first time. These were Body to Body, Hooligan, 2.0, Aliens, FYA, title track SWIM, Like Animals and NORMAL.

For the performance of Aliens, a track that portrays the group forging new cultural standards on their own terms, the members owned the stage with undeniable presence, while black-and-white geongongamri graphics flowed dynamically across the screen in the background. Geongongamri refers to the four black trigrams located in the corners of the South Korean flag. They represent the harmony and movement of cosmic forces, namely heaven, earth, water and fire.

BTS further electrified the crowd with a run of their most iconic hits. Butter and Dynamite injected the venue with bright and infectious energy, while MIC Drop delivered a powerful and swagger-filled performance.

The visuals throughout the performances of NORMAL, Like Animals, SWIM and FYA incorporated symbols inspired by the Taegeuk’s Geon, Gon, Gam and Ri patterns.

The standout moment of the event was the performance of their lead single SWIM. It showcased BTS’ powerful stage presence.

As the night came to an end, RM delivered his final message, “No matter what happens, we promise to keep swimming together,” followed by renditions of Dynamite and Mikrokosmos. During the performance of Mikrokosmos, the LED cubes gradually lit up with stars, which then expanded into sweeping video projections across the Gwanghwamun walls. Against this evocative backdrop, BTS delivered an emotional performance as the audience sang along.

Through its partnership with BIGHIT MUSIC, a label under HYBE, Netflix has brought BTS’ long-awaited return to viewers across the globe. The performance combined the distinct atmosphere of a traditional setting with contemporary stage production. Set against Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace, the live performance showcased the beauty of Korea’s cultural heritage and the enchanting appeal of these historic landmarks to a global audience.