ARMYs finally uncover the meaning behind the "King" symbol BTS has teased multiple times

 

The boy group BTS has officially confirmed the schedule for their first full-group comeback performance after completing their mandatory military service. On the 3rd, through their agency BigHit Music, BTS announced, "At 8 p.m. on the 21st of next month, the group will hold a commemorative performance for the release of their fifth studio album at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul." The performance is titled "BTS Comeback Live: Arirang." 

BigHit Music stated, "Since the word 'Arirang' carries symbolic meaning, we prepared the first stage in a space that represents Korea." 

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, BTS is currently discussing placing the stage at the northern starting point of Gwanghwamun Square, facing Woldae (the stone platform in front of the palace gate). A total of 34,000 seats are expected to be arranged, including 17,000 main seats at the front and 17,000 seats on both sides. Audience members in certain areas may be able to enjoy BTS's performance while standing next to or facing the statue of King Sejong and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

According to an exclusive source, a plan is being considered to use the route connecting " Geunjeongmun - Heungnyemun - Gwanghwamun - Woldae" as the opening stage. It is expected that footage of the BTS members parading along this path before stepping into the stage will be pre-recorded or broadcast live as the opening of the show.

This road has historically been referred to as the "King's Road." When the king passed along this route, he would arrive at Woldae—a place where he could directly interact with the people. Woldae was built in 1866, dismantled in 1923 during the Japanese colonial period, and restored after 100 years in October 2023. If this plan becomes reality, it would be a scene perfectly fitting the title "The Return of the Kings of K-pop." 

At this point, the news quickly reminded fans of a series of posts related to the "King" symbol that BTS had shared multiple times in the past, before the announcement of the album ARIRANG.

Specifically, they have been at least four instances in which RM and V hinted at kingship or crowns in their posts. During a live broadcast on his birthday in September last year, while speaking candidly about the enormous pressure BTS faced during the album production process, RM suddenly brought up the weight of power and fame, saying, "Lots of burdens—heavy is the crown. Do you wanna be the king?" 

Then, on September 15, RM shared an Instagram story of himself wearing a toy crown. In some comments on Weverse, he used he emoji of a king wearing a crown. In a Samsung Art TV advertisement—where RM serves as a brand ambassador—he also appeared standing in front of a screen displaying an animated dinosaur wearing a crown.

Meanwhile, V also shared similar images, including a photo of himself wearing a crown and a drawing of a prince wearing a crown with the caption "I hope you like it~." 

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At the time, some fans speculated that the crown might be part of the storyline of the upcoming album and that the two "spoiler kings" of BTS were simply hunting at this theme. Now, however, fans have come to understand that these hints were connected to the comeback performance set to take place at historic Gwanghwamun. RM and V never stopped hunting at was was coming—we just didn't realize it.

Fans laughed and shared their reactions, saying, "It's truly the return of the Kings in every sense," "So it turns out V was telling us in advance that the kings would be taking a stroll, but we just didn't get it. We love it—we're absolutely losing our minds over it! Is it still not too late to reply now?," "RM + V= spoiler kings for a reason," "As expected, our spoiler kings," and "ARMYs... We are never beating the clown allegations." 

Meanwhile, regarding BTS's performance on the 21st, Netflix announced, "We will exclusively live-stream BTS's 'Comeback Live Performance : Arirang' to 190 countries." This marks the first time Netflix has livestreamed a single-artist concert."

Beyond broadcasting, Netflix will also co-produce the show at Gwanghwamun together with HYBE. Director Hamish Hamilton, who has directed multiple Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 2010, has been invited to participate.

After the performance, on March 27, the documentary film "BTS : The Return," which captures the production process of the album ARIRANG, will be released on Netflix. Vietnamese-American director Bao Nguyen, known for producing variation music documentaries, documented the members' reflections and their journey in creating the group's first complete album in three years and nine months.