With the confirmation that BTS will hold a massive free concert to mark its comeback at Gwanghwamun Square and the adjacent royal palace on March 21, attention is now shifting to how the K-pop megastars will use the historic backdrop for the spectacle.
Current predictions suggest a performance that dramatically fuses Korean traditional heritage with state-of-the-art stage production.
According to the music industry and Seoul city officials Wednesday, discussions are under way for an opening sequence of "BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang" set to begin at 8 p.m. that day. The seven members are expected to appear from within the palace grounds, walking through Geunjeongmun and Heungnyemun gates before exiting through the main Gwanghwamun gate with the three major southern gates of Gyeongbok Palace thrown open, according to the sources.
This scenario is supported by reports that the group has secured approval to utilize these three gates as well as the "woldae" -- a restored ceremonial stage located in front of the main gate, historically used by kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) for royal rituals and public encounters.
The sequence, symbolizing a traditional royal procession, aims to create a grand entrance leading to the main stage, which will likely be constructed on the expansive lawn at the northern end of the square. It reportedly remains undecided whether this procession will be performed live or prerecorded.
