A figure clad in black swept across the stadium wielding a smoke grenade. Dozens of dancers in matching dark attire surged onto the central stage. As fireworks illuminated the night sky and the seven BTS members emerged, the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, erupted in a deafening roar.
The acrid scent of gunpowder permeated the air. The stadium floor trembled with each synchronized stomp of the audience.
BTS ignited their BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG IN PARIS on July 17 at 7:30 p.m., kicking off with “Hooligan” from their fifth studio album. The energy skyrocketed as they seamlessly transitioned into “Aliens” and “Run BTS,” setting the arena ablaze from the get-go.
Big Hit Music reported a staggering attendance of 92,000 fans, marking the highest turnout for a single BTS concert since their debut.
The anticipation was palpable hours before the event. Traffic crawled towards the Stade de France, while Metro Line 13 was so packed that multiple trains passed without stopping. Fans disembarking near the venue naturally formed an extensive queue.
Despite the massive turnout, the atmosphere remained orderly. Attendees followed directions, forming neat lines and entering the venue with minimal fuss.
A babel of French, English, Spanish, and Italian filled the air. Amidst fans draped in national flags, others stood out in purple outfits, traditional hanbok, and attire emblazoned with the Korean flag or “Arirang.”
The demographic spanned generations, from children clutching their parents’ hands to silver-haired seniors. On the RER train, a mother-daughter duo sported matching Arirang-themed hats and BTS shirts, proudly sharing that they had crafted them at home for the concert.
Before the show, traditional Korean percussion echoed through the stadium. The jumbotron displayed instructions for light stick use as fans clutched their ARMY bombs in one hand and phones in the other, eagerly awaiting the members’ arrival.
BTS launched their European tour in Madrid on June 26-27, then blazed through Brussels, London, and Munich before landing in Paris. The tour, spanning five European cities with ten shows, sold out entirely. This marks BTS’s triumphant return to Europe after a nearly 7-year and 8-month hiatus since their LOVE YOURSELF tour in October 2018.
Previous stops saw massive turnouts. Madrid’s opening night drew 70,000, while London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted 130,000 over two nights, averaging 65,000 per show. Paris topped them all with 92,000 for a single performance.
The Stade de France’s official ticketing site confirmed both July 17 and 18 shows as sold out. BTS will wrap up their European tour with their second Paris concert on July 18.
The tour featured a custom-designed 360-degree stage to engage the enormous crowd. A rotating circular platform at the center extended into four protruding stages, allowing the members to connect with fans from all angles.
While the stadium’s scale made the members appear small to the naked eye, strategically placed jumbo screens broadcast their expressions and movements in real-time. The sea of light sticks and phone screens shifted in unison as the members traversed the stage.
At the heart of the setup stood a pavilion inspired by Gyeonghoeru, a nod to Korean heritage. The rotating circular stage embodied the taeguk symbol, while the four extending platforms represented the elements of heaven and earth.
During “They Don’t Know ‘Bout Us,” dancers wielded portable screens displaying modern interpretations of traditional masks. “Merry Go Round” saw a massive white cloth undulating across the stage like waves, reimagining the flow of traditional dance.
For “Not Today,” red and blue lights painted a taeguk on the circular stage. Rather than merely replicating tradition, the show transformed Korean cultural elements through cutting-edge visuals, lighting, electronic music, and elaborate stage design.
As “IDOL” kicked off, the performance space expanded to encompass the entire stadium. BTS members, flanked by flag-bearing dancers with glowing ribbons, circled the stadium track. Fans pivoted to follow their idols, their cheers reverberating throughout the venue.
The jumbotrons occasionally panned to the crowd, capturing French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, eliciting spontaneous applause without formal introduction.
The members charmed the audience with French phrases. RM gushed that he’s thrilled to be in Paris and they’re the most passionate crowd. Paris is magical, Paris is invincible. V drew laughs by listing his favorite French delicacies: escargot, croissants, and waffles.
The significance of performing for 92,000 fans wasn’t lost on the group. Jimin expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Parisian ARMY for this record-breaking turnout. Jin reflected on the emotional weight of reuniting with fans post-military service. Jungkook closed the show with a warm “Take care on your way home” in Korean.
The energy surged anew during “Butter” and “Dynamite.” As the latter’s iconic intro played, the entire stadium leapt to its feet. With nightfall, the arena transformed into a galaxy of color-changing ARMY bombs.
Fans belted out lyrics in both English and Korean. They chanted the members’ names in Korean and sang the familiar verses of “Arirang” in unison.
Mael Desiré, a college student attendee, gushed that this was a bucket list experience and is completely fulfilled. It was mind-blowing and surreal. It felt like a dream and is still dreaming.
A spectacular fireworks display capped off the final song. As the pyrotechnics faded and the concert concluded, the 92,000-strong crowd filed out in an orderly fashion, heading towards the subway station.
The Parisian night, orchestrated by 92,000 fans, culminated in a dazzling fireworks finale, leaving the lingering melody of “Arirang” sung in Korean echoing in their hearts.
(Additional reporting by Kim Eun-jin)
