Tag: BigHit Music

Music

BTS ‘Arirang’ World Tour to Stream Live in Cinemas Worldwide This April

Tanisha Cardozo

Global K-pop sensation BTS is set to deliver one of the year’s biggest cultural events as the BTS World Tour “Arirang” streams live in cinemas worldwide this April. In a major collaboration, Trafalgar Releasing has partnered with HYBE and BigHit Music to bring two full-length live concert broadcasts to the big screen, allowing fans across continents to experience the tour simultaneously.

The seven-member group will perform from Goyang, South Korea, on April 11, followed by a second live broadcast from Tokyo on April 18. Each territory will screen both concerts twice to accommodate different time zones, ensuring that fans worldwide can join in real time. The cinema events mark the opening of BTS’ first tour since 2021–2022’s “Permission to Dance on Stage,” making this return to global touring highly anticipated.

Marc Allenby, chief executive officer of Trafalgar Releasing, described the concerts as one of the year’s most significant cultural moments. He emphasised the extraordinary global demand surrounding the announcement of the “Arirang” World Tour and expressed excitement about continuing the longstanding partnership with HYBE and BigHit Music. By presenting two full-scale concerts live from Goyang and Tokyo, the initiative offers audiences a shared, immersive big-screen experience that mirrors the energy of an arena performance.

The tour itself is historic in scale. Spanning 34 cities and 82 shows, it establishes a new benchmark for tour dates by a K-pop artist. Central to the experience is a 360-degree in-the-round stage design, crafted to create a fully immersive environment where audiences surround the performance space. This format enhances engagement, bringing fans closer to the music and choreography that have defined BTS’ global appeal.

The tour coincides with the release of the group’s fifth studio album, “Arirang,” scheduled to drop on March 20. The album’s launch adds further anticipation, as fans will witness new material performed live just weeks after its release. Since their debut in June 2013, BTS — comprising RM, Jin, Suga, J-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook — have redefined the global reach of K-pop. The group has earned six No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 since 2020 and received five Grammy nominations across the 63rd to 65th Grammy Awards ceremonies. Their accolades also include multiple Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

Trafalgar Releasing, which operates in more than 15,000 cinemas across 132 countries, has previously handled major concert films including “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour,” which became the highest-grossing concert film of all time. With the BTS World Tour “Arirang,” the company once again positions live music at the centre of a shared global cinema experience.

Additional live viewing dates are planned for later in the year, with further details expected to be announced. As anticipation builds, the “Arirang” World Tour is not just a series of concerts but a global celebration of music, performance and fandom, bringing millions of fans together in cinemas to witness BTS’ next monumental chapter unfold live on the big screen.

Music

Diplo Confirms Involvement in BTS’ Upcoming ARIRANG Album, Calls It “Craziest Album Ever”

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

As anticipation builds for BTS’ upcoming album ARIRANG, international music producer Diplo has revealed his involvement in the project, describing it as the “craziest album ever” and one of the most significant collaborations of his career.


Speaking to media while attending the 2026 Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Pier 48 in San Francisco, Diplo expressed admiration for the global K-pop phenomenon, citing reports that ARIRANG has already crossed four million pre-orders. Calling BTS “the biggest band in the world,” he said working with the group was both humbling and creatively rewarding.

Diplo highlighted BTS’ hands-on involvement in the studio, praising their creativity, professionalism and musical versatility. He singled out youngest member Jung Kook for his vocal ability, noting his natural talent and precision without reliance on AutoTune. The producer also described the group as experienced artists who bring maturity and authenticity to their work.

The collaboration marks another chapter in Diplo’s long association with K-pop. He previously worked with Jung Kook on the track “Close to You” from the singer’s solo album Golden, and has collaborated with artists such as G-Dragon, CL, Jennie and BLACKPINK over the past decade.

While BTS and their label HYBE have not officially confirmed all collaborators on ARIRANG, industry speculation suggests contributions from several high-profile names. Singer-songwriter Jon Bellion has revealed studio sessions with the group, while legendary producer Max Martin is also believed to be involved. Longtime BTS collaborator Pdogg is expected to play a key role in shaping the album’s sound.

According to Diplo, ARIRANG could be the biggest project of his life. He credited BTS and the HYBE team for fostering a creative environment rooted in trust and artistic freedom.

The album ARIRANG, featuring at least 14 tracks, is scheduled for release on March 20 under HYBE’s BIGHIT MUSIC, and is widely expected to make a major impact on the global music landscape.

Music

BTS Eyes Free Comeback Concert at Gwanghwamun Square This Spring

allycaralgoa

BTS may soon make history once again. HYBE has officially applied for permits to host a free BTS comeback concert at Seoul’s iconic Gwanghwamun Square or nearby heritage locations, aligning with the anticipated March 20 release of their fifth studio album, Arirang.

If approved, the event would welcome 15,000 to 20,000 fans, selected through a registration process, creating an intimate yet monumental celebration. The concept has been pitched as a fusion of K-pop and Korean heritage, blending BTS’s global influence with Korea’s cultural identity — a symbolic move reflecting the group’s roots and evolution.

BigHit Music has confirmed that discussions are ongoing, stating that plans are still under review. The Cultural Heritage Committee is scheduled to review the permit application on January 20, given the historical significance of the proposed venues.

This concert would mark BTS’s first performance as a complete unit since 2022, following the completion of mandatory military service by all seven members. It also serves as a prelude to what is expected to be a massive global comeback, including a world tour set to begin in April.

Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting official confirmation, with excitement building around what could be one of the most culturally significant K-pop events in recent history.

International

BTS’ RM to Make History as First Korean Artist to Address APEC CEO Summit

Tanisha Cardozo

BTS leader Kim Namjoon, popularly known as RM, is set to make history as the first Korean artist to deliver a keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit 2025 on October 29. RM’s session, scheduled from 3:05 PM to 3:15 PM, will focus on “Cultural and Creative Industries in the APEC Region and the Soft Power of K-Culture.”

According to APEC’s official program, RM will speak during a special cultural session on the summit’s second day. APEC introduced him as “a creative powerhouse and avid art enthusiast, renowned for crafting profound lyrics inspired by art and philosophy.” His thoughtful and globally resonant perspective has made him one of the most influential cultural figures of his generation.

RM’s participation marks a groundbreaking moment for the global music industry, making him the first K-pop artist to appear as a speaker at the summit.

The APEC CEO Summit, which gathers heads of state and business leaders from 21 economies, will explore transformative industries shaping the future of the global economy under the theme “Beyond Business, Bridge.”

HYBE, BTS’s parent company and the only entertainment brand participating as a Diamond Sponsor, will showcase its international business network and K-pop culture at the Gyeongju Arts Center.

On the work front, RM is preparing for BTS’s highly anticipated comeback album, their first as a full group in four years. The record, currently in production in the U.S., is slated for release in spring next year.

With this address, RM not only represents K-pop’s global reach but also highlights the growing role of creative industries in shaping diplomacy, business, and cross-cultural understanding.

International

BTS’s RM to Curate Landmark Exhibition at SFMOMA: A First for K-pop and Modern Art

Tanisha Cardozo

BTS’s RM is about to make history once again — but this time, not on stage. The global K-pop icon will step into the art world as a solo curator with RM X SFMOMA, an ambitious exhibition set to open at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) from October 2026 to February 2027. The collaboration, announced by BigHit Music on October 3, marks the first time a K-pop artist has curated an exhibition with the prestigious U.S. institution, positioning RM as a cultural bridge between the realms of music and modern art.

The initiative stems from SFMOMA’s recognition of RM’s refined taste, deep engagement with art, and growing influence beyond the music industry. RM, known for his frequent museum visits and art commentary on social media, has personally shaped the concept and selected works for the exhibition. According to Yonhap News, the project positions RM not only as an artist but also as a visionary curator.

The exhibition will showcase approximately 200 pieces, blending RM’s private art collection with selections from SFMOMA’s extensive archive. These works span across various mediums — including painting, sculpture, and contemporary experimental pieces — and highlight renowned Korean modern artists alongside celebrated international names. Many of these pieces will be shown to the public for the first time, offering a unique cross-cultural and personal perspective on art.

In his official statement, RM emphasized his hope that the exhibition will encourage viewers to reflect on cultural, temporal, and geographic boundaries. “There is no fixed way to appreciate these works,” he said, “but I hope this exhibition becomes a small yet solid bridge for many.” His curatorial approach is rooted in inviting a broad audience to experience art beyond labels and expectations.

SFMOMA’s chief curator, Janet Bishop, praised the collaboration, calling it a rare opportunity to witness an intimate and meaningful conversation between RM’s artistic sensibility and the museum’s world-renowned collection. The exhibition is expected to attract wide attention from both BTS’s global fanbase and the broader art world, opening new avenues for cultural dialogue.

As RM continues to redefine what it means to be a global artist in the 21st century, RM X SFMOMA stands as a landmark in the evolving relationship between pop culture and fine art. This is not just an exhibition — it’s a statement about connectivity, creative expression, and the power of cultural exchange.