Okay-pop supergroup BTS is again with a brand new album after an extended hiatus. The group’s followers welcomed them again this weekend at a large live performance in Seoul, South Korea.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
South Korea is celebrating the reunion of its most well-known musical act, BTS. NPR’s Anthony Kuhn studies from Seoul, the place followers welcome the Okay-pop group again at a large free live performance over the weekend.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BTS: (Rapping) I want the entire world to leap.
ANTHONY KUHN, BYLINE: BTS’ seven members carried out on a stage in entrance of a former royal palace, Gyeongbokgung, within the coronary heart of the capital. Band member J-Hope addressed the group in English.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)0
J-HOPE: OK, guys, I can not imagine this. Seven of us are all standing collectively on this stage right now.
(CHEERING)
J-HOPE: Wow. Thanks for ready for us.
KUHN: After a virtually decadelong rise to stardom, the band took a break in 2022 to carry out necessary navy service and do solo tasks. Forty-two-year-old fan Jang Inja (ph) says the reunion marks the beginning of a brand new chapter for BTS.
JANG INJA: (Via interpreter) When the group BTS first got here out, they have been like infants. Earlier than they went into the navy, they have been like individuals who have been half full. After their discharge, they’re popping out with a extra strong affect as males. So I am trying ahead to it lots.
KUHN: Greater than 10,000 police and metropolis officers managed crowds and manned downtown safety checkpoints. Crowd estimates ranged from 40,000 to 104,000, far decrease than predicted. The day earlier than the live performance, BTS dropped a brand new album known as “Arirang,” additionally the title of a beloved Korean folks track.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “SWIM”)
BTS: (Singing) Swim. I simply wish to dive, I simply wish to dive.
(Rapping) Dangerous world. Gone away and I nonetheless get up on this mad world. Title a spot that I may breathe on this map, world. Wanting like a goody, goody on this dangerous world, dangerous world. Do not know the best way to act, woman…
KUHN: Visiting Boston resident Lee Lee Kao talked about maturing with BTS and in regards to the new album.
LEE LEE KAO: I am 23, 24 now, so I am nonetheless listening to BTS. So I feel they’re making music for individuals, like, our age now. And mature clever, I do not know actually the best way to describe it, actually. It is not like “Butter.”
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “2.0”)
BTS: (Singing in Korean). Yeah, we on that brand-new. You know the way we do.
Hey, hey, hey. (Rapping in Korean).
KUHN: The brand new album has much less pop and R&B and a number of other darker, cooler, rap-influenced tunes like 2.0, a track that says the brand new section of BTS’ profession. Regardless of all of the Korean tradition shows, the live performance was made for international media, directed by Britain Hamish Hamilton, who masterminded the Tremendous Bowl halftime present and streamed on Netflix. Subsequent month, BTS will set out on a 34-city world tour that may final into subsequent spring.
Anthony Kuhn, NPR Information, Seoul.
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