BTS Secures Conditional Approval for Historic Gwanghwamun Comeback Performance
BTS has cleared a crucial hurdle for their March comeback as Korea's cultural heritage authorities conditionally approved filming at Seoul's most iconic historical sites.
The Korea Heritage Service granted preliminary permission on January 20 for HYBE to film at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gwanghwamun, and Sungnyemun Gate ahead of the group's first full comeback in nearly four years. The decision allows promotional content production to move forward while a specialized subcommittee reviews safety protocols and heritage impact assessments.
What's Been Approved
HYBE can now film comeback content at specific palace locations, including Geunjeongmun Gate, Heungnyemun Gate, and the Gwanghwamun Woldae ceremonial platform. Filming will likely occur on Tuesdays when Gyeongbokgung Palace closes to the public.
The approval came with strings attached. Heritage officials will form a working group to evaluate crowd management plans, noise levels, and potential impact on the historic sites before giving final clearance.
Concert Still Awaits Final Decision
While filming got the green light, the actual public performance remains uncertain. Seoul Metropolitan Government is separately reviewing HYBE's request to hold a free concert at Gwanghwamun Square.
Plans call for 15,000 to 20,000 attendees selected through pre-registration. HYBE is targeting March 20-22, with the 20th marking the release of BTS's fifth album "ARIRANG." A decision is expected by the end of this week.
"Discussions are ongoing, and an official announcement will be made once the location and schedule are finalized," HYBE told Newsen.
Why This Matters
This would mark the first solo artist concert at Gwanghwamun Square since its redevelopment. The venue holds deep significance in Korean civic life, hosting World Cup celebrations and major national gatherings.
The choice aligns with "ARIRANG," BTS's comeback album named after Korea's most famous folk song. The 14-track release represents the group's first new music since all seven members completed mandatory military service in June 2025.
BTS reunited in July 2025 to begin recording. The album drops March 20, 2026, followed by a 79-show world tour starting April 9 at Goyang Stadium. The tour spans 34 cities across five continents through March 2027.
Seoul's decision on the Gwanghwamun performance will determine whether Korean fans get an unprecedented hometown celebration before BTS launches their largest world tour to date.
