Skyscrapers, bridges and other landmarks in South Korea’s capital lit up in purple on Monday as the country begins celebrating the 10th anniversary of K-pop band BTS, whose global popularity is a source of national pride.
The lights provided the backdrop for various social media-driven events marking the 2013 debut of the seven-member group, which is now taking a hiatus as its singers begin to serve their mandatory military duties.
From Monday evening, numerous Seoul structures, including City Hall, the 123-story Lotte World Tower, several Han River bridges, and the futuristic DDP – a Zaha Hadid-designed aluminium and concrete dome that’s often used for visual art – were bathed in purple, a colour associated with BTS.
Messages congratulating BTS were displayed on digital screens in buildings across Seoul, while postal authorities have issued stamps marking the group’s anniversary, which will be available at post offices in the country from Tuesday.
Seoul officials hope that the celebrations, which will continue for around two weeks, will boost tourism. The city has designated more than a dozen sites associated with BTS, including places where the group held major performances or shot some of their famous videos.
Fireworks are planned at a park near the Han River on Saturday night, hours after one of the BTS singers, RM, will hold a live talk with fans that will be broadcast online.
Quickly garnering huge followings in Asia following their debut, BTS's popularity expanded across the globe with their 2020 megahit Dynamite – the band’s first all-English song that made it the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100.
BTS has since performed in sold-out arenas around the world and has been invited to speak at United Nations meetings, supported by a legion of global followers who call themselves the “Army”.
BTS’s activities as a full group are currently on hold as the artists begin to serve in the military. Two BTS singers – Jin and J-Hope – have already started their compulsory 18-month service and other members are due to follow in the coming months, which means the group is likely to reconvene around 2025.
In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to serve 18-21 months in uniform under a system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.
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K-pop group BTS performing at a live in-person concert at Jamsil Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea on March 10. EPA -
This is the first time in more than two years that BTS have performed an in-person live concert in South Korea. EPA -
The group are known for hits 'Dynamite', 'Butter' and 'Permission to Dance.' Bit Hit Music / AFP -
The last time the group performed in South Korea was in October 2019. Big Hit Music / AFP -
In 2020, the group set a Guinness World Record for attracting the most viewers for a live-streamed music concert. Big Hit Music / AFP -
Fans in the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain will be able to watch the live-streamed concerts at Vox Cinemas. Big Hit Music / AFP -
The live-streamed concert will take place on Saturday at 12.45pm UAE time. Big Hit Music / AFP -
The K-pop group was named the top-selling music act of 2021 by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Big Hit Music / AFP -
Fans gather as they wait for BTS's 'Permission To Dance On Stage' concert at Olympic Stadium on March 10. Getty Images -
A BTS fan shares a photo of a towel with the group on it. Getty Images -
Fans of BTS hold up the group's merchandise ahead of the concert. AFP -
A woman takes a selfie in front of a big photo of Jimin, a member of BTS, at a subway station near Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul. AFP
