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BTS

BTS are the biggest names in K-pop - and they continue to go from strength to strength. After becoming the first K-pop band to top the US album charts in 2018, the seven-member boy band went on to conquer the world, propelled by the support of their devoted Army fan club.

Industry

Entertainment, K-Pop

Job Title

K-Pop band

K-pop boy group BTS perform during their concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, on March 21. Photo: AFP / Getty Images / TNS

Kai Tak Sports Park

Letters | BTS ticket chaos: Hong Kong must get serious on bots and scalpers

Readers discuss the scourge of today’s concert culture, building climate resilience, and the challenge of looking for a job in the age of AI.

13 Jun 2026 - 11:30AM

Food and Drinks

Oreo and BTS launch purple cookies in new K-pop collaboration

30 May 2026 - 3:15PM

Malaysia

‘Scalpers making everything worse’: the fight to grab BTS tickets in Malaysia

29 May 2026 - 3:43PMvideocam

South Korea

Desperate search for Busan rooms: ‘obscenely high’ prices anger BTS fans

‘I wanted to explore the city, but I’m now forced to find accommodation elsewhere,’ a K-pop fan says.

28 May 2026 - 2:20PMvideocam

BTS members attend the American Music Awards in Las Vegas on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong economy

K-pop stars BTS to hold 3 concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in 2027

Boy band will perform on March 4, 6 and 7 as part of their ‘Arirang’ world tour, with tickets to sell for up to HK$3,299 each.

22 May 2026 - 7:21PM

Fifa World Cup 2026

Scientists warn Fifa that World Cup games at risk of searing heat

One in four games could take place in very hot conditions; meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever half-time show in final.

14 May 2026 - 8:35PM

South Korea

BTS comeback drives record 2.06 million tourists to South Korea

Foreigners who went to South Korea for the K-pop group’s concerts spent US$38 million in purchases between January 1 and April 12 ‌.

16 Apr 2026 - 3:37PMvideocam

South Korea

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

Herzog’s remarks sparked backlash from fans ahead of the K-pop band’s American TV comeback.

26 Mar 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

K-pop, Mandopop, other Asian pop

K-pop stars BTS are back, with a new album and a Netflix documentary

BTS are back after a nearly four-year gap. Netflix documentary BTS: The Return explores the making of their latest album, Arirang.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

South Korea

‘A shame’: why Jin was left off official credits for BTS’ latest album

The K-pop band cited scheduling conflicts, saying the star ‘kept touring’, but fans aren’t buying the explanation.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:38PMvideocam

BTS member Jin in a scene from the 2026 Netflix documentary BTS: The Return. Photo: AP

Asia travel

Visiting South Korea? 10 BTS pilgrimage spots every Army should visit

Explore iconic landmarks throughout the K-pop band’s history, from the current Hybe headquarters to their trainee-era haunts.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:34AMvideocam

Members of K-pop boy band BTS at Maengbang Beach in Samcheok, Gangwon province, South Korea. The coastal backdrop was used in imagery tied to the group’s global hit single “Butter”. Photo: courtesy of BigHit Music

Seoul

Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares

The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.

23 Mar 2026 - 7:40PM

South Korea

BTS’ South Korea comeback crowd disappoints, triggering stock sell-off

The reunion concert drew 104,000 fans – less than half the 260,000 police had expected.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

South Korea

They’re back! K-pop’s BTS play first gig together in nearly 4 years

There were 22,000 free tickets, with thousands of other fans flooding Seoul to watch on giant screens, plus a Netflix live stream.

21 Mar 2026 - 9:33PMvideocam

Seoul

Video | Seoul prepares for BTS comeback at historic square

South Korean authorities prepare for BTS members to perform in first concert together in three years.

20 Mar 2026 - 6:27PM

A couple takes a selfie photo near a banner promoting a comeback concert of K-pop group BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

03:00

SCMP Highlights

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

19 Mar 2026 - 4:16PM

South Korea

Are you ready, Army? Free BTS concert to mark a K-pop comeback like no other

BTS’ return to the stage is set to redefine global music, with a free comeback performance, album drop and a massive world tour to come.

18 Mar 2026 - 9:05PM

South Korea

BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul

Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.

17 Mar 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

Stage construction is under way at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul ahead of BTS’ comeback concert. Photo: Korea Times

Asia travel

K-tourism 2.0: Gen Z tourists prefer singing, dancing immersive holidays

K-pop and K-culture are driving a rise in tourism in South Korea, and many Gen Z visitors are opting for immersive experiences.

9 Mar 2026 - 9:15PM

Timepieces

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

2 Mar 2026 - 4:47PM

China-South Korea relations

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

22 Feb 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS has just unveiled plans for their biggest tour yet, but it will not include any stops in mainland China. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong

2016 trends from Pokemon Go to poke bowls amid viral internet nostalgia

Looking back at 2016 is viral online, but what was hot back then? We look at food, travel, health and pop culture trends from a decade ago.

31 Jan 2026 - 3:15PM

People play Pokemon Go in Hong Kong on July 25, 2016, the day it was released in the city. The online game was one of the hottest trends in the city 10 years ago. Photo: Nora Tam

Singapore

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

31 Jan 2026 - 9:55AM

South Korea

BTS’ comeback concert sparks Dynamite price hikes in South Korea’s Busan

The K-pop group’s show in Busan is months away but already room prices have soared beyond the 1 million mark.

17 Jan 2026 - 11:35AM

Malaysia

‘I know I’ll cry’: BTS frenzy grips Malaysia as fans worry about scalpers

The K-pop band is returning to Malaysia for two shows in Kuala Lumpur after over a decade, sparking fan frenzy and ticket battles.

15 Jan 2026 - 10:17AMvideocam

Members of BTS perform during the 2022 Grammy Awards show in Las Vegas, US. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

South Korea’s top act has been on hiatus since 2022 for military service. Their new album is the first since 2022’s record-breaking ‘Proof’.

1 Jan 2026 - 7:31PM

K-pop boy band BTS visit the “Today” Show at Rockefeller Plaza in February 2020 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images

South Korea

‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop

Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.

14 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM

South Korea

‘Erase the couple tattoo’: BTS’ Jungkook faces fan fury over dating rumours

Fans parked a protest truck outside the band’s management company’s office in Seoul, demanding clarity from the K-pop star.

10 Dec 2025 - 3:41PM

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BTS

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Letters | BTS ticket chaos: Hong Kong must get serious on bots and scalpers

Readers discuss the scourge of today’s concert culture, building climate resilience, and the challenge of looking for a job in the age of AI.

Oreo and BTS launch purple cookies in new K-pop collaboration

‘Scalpers making everything worse’: the fight to grab BTS tickets in Malaysia

Desperate search for Busan rooms: ‘obscenely high’ prices anger BTS fans

‘I wanted to explore the city, but I’m now forced to find accommodation elsewhere,’ a K-pop fan says.

K-pop stars BTS to hold 3 concerts at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium in 2027

Boy band will perform on March 4, 6 and 7 as part of their ‘Arirang’ world tour, with tickets to sell for up to HK$3,299 each.

Scientists warn Fifa that World Cup games at risk of searing heat

One in four games could take place in very hot conditions; meanwhile, Madonna, Shakira, BTS to headline first-ever half-time show in final.

BTS comeback drives record 2.06 million tourists to South Korea

Foreigners who went to South Korea for the K-pop group’s concerts spent US$38 million in purchases between January 1 and April 12 ‌.

‘Anyone from the North?’: US comedian Seth Herzog apologises over BTS joke

Herzog’s remarks sparked backlash from fans ahead of the K-pop band’s American TV comeback.

K-pop stars BTS are back, with a new album and a Netflix documentary

BTS are back after a nearly four-year gap. Netflix documentary BTS: The Return explores the making of their latest album, Arirang.

‘A shame’: why Jin was left off official credits for BTS’ latest album

The K-pop band cited scheduling conflicts, saying the star ‘kept touring’, but fans aren’t buying the explanation.

Visiting South Korea? 10 BTS pilgrimage spots every Army should visit

Explore iconic landmarks throughout the K-pop band’s history, from the current Hybe headquarters to their trainee-era haunts.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares

The heavily secured Gwanghwamun Square performance drew 104,000 fans – less than half the turnout police expected.

BTS’ South Korea comeback crowd disappoints, triggering stock sell-off

The reunion concert drew 104,000 fans – less than half the 260,000 police had expected.

They’re back! K-pop’s BTS play first gig together in nearly 4 years

There were 22,000 free tickets, with thousands of other fans flooding Seoul to watch on giant screens, plus a Netflix live stream.

Video | Seoul prepares for BTS comeback at historic square

South Korean authorities prepare for BTS members to perform in first concert together in three years.

Jean-Claude Van Damme talks art; a chemist’s soy empire: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a mother’s 22kg weight loss to a Taiwanese chemist’s soy empire in Australia, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Are you ready, Army? Free BTS concert to mark a K-pop comeback like no other

BTS’ return to the stage is set to redefine global music, with a free comeback performance, album drop and a massive world tour to come.

BTS’ concert puts ‘K-safety’ to the test as 260,000 fans to throng Seoul

Over 8,000 officials will be deployed at Saturday’s event in Seoul amid heightened scrutiny over crowd safety.

K-tourism 2.0: Gen Z tourists prefer singing, dancing immersive holidays

K-pop and K-culture are driving a rise in tourism in South Korea, and many Gen Z visitors are opting for immersive experiences.

5 watch moments in February 2026: the Baftas, Jungkook’s new role and more

Breitling partners with Aston Martin, Louis Vuitton collaborates with De Bethune, and Swiss jump-hour watch brand Niton is revived.

K-pop’s big freeze: are cracks in China’s cultural blockade a thaw?

A decade-long geopolitical chill has kept South Korean entertainers largely locked out of the Chinese market, but fans find ways to connect.

2016 trends from Pokemon Go to poke bowls amid viral internet nostalgia

Looking back at 2016 is viral online, but what was hot back then? We look at food, travel, health and pop culture trends from a decade ago.

Set-jetting to Singapore: how K-pop is driving new tourism push

Ticket sales for K-pop events in Singapore increased by about 250 per cent between 2022 and 2024.

BTS’ comeback concert sparks Dynamite price hikes in South Korea’s Busan

The K-pop group’s show in Busan is months away but already room prices have soared beyond the 1 million mark.

‘I know I’ll cry’: BTS frenzy grips Malaysia as fans worry about scalpers

The K-pop band is returning to Malaysia for two shows in Kuala Lumpur after over a decade, sparking fan frenzy and ticket battles.

BTS are back! A new album and tour are coming after their military service

South Korea’s top act has been on hiatus since 2022 for military service. Their new album is the first since 2022’s record-breaking ‘Proof’.

‘It’s all in English now’: South Koreans fall out of love with K-pop

Long-time listeners say the genre has lost its identity, with English lyrics and shorter tracks alienating the local fan base.

‘Erase the couple tattoo’: BTS’ Jungkook faces fan fury over dating rumours

Fans parked a protest truck outside the band’s management company’s office in Seoul, demanding clarity from the K-pop star.

Letters | BTS ticket chaos: Hong Kong must get serious on bots and scalpers

Video | Low BTS concert turnout causes slide in agency shares