The BTS <YET TO COME> IN BUSAN CONCERT was viewed from 229 countries/regions

Pop sensations BTS successfully staged the WORLD EXPO 2030 BUSAN KOREA CONCERT BTS YET TO COME> in BUSAN. The concert was viewed from 229 countries/regions via in-person concert, in-person live broadcast, online live stream, and TV broadcast.

As ambassadors for World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea, BTS staged 'BTS YET TO COME> in BUSAN' to introduce Busan and Korean culture to a global audience in order to increase interest in Busan's campaign for World Expo 2030.

Approximately 50,000 people attended the live concert at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The expected number of viewers at the WORLD EXPO 2030 BUSAN KOREA CONCERT BTS <YET TO COME> in BUSAN - LIVE PLAY in Busan Port surpassed 10,000. While an estimated 2,000 people were watching the LIVE PLAY in Haeundae, the area was even more crowded because it was accessible to the public. Weverse's online livestream alone had about 49 million views. The TV broadcast on Korea's JTBC received a very high rating of 3.3%. Unfortunately, viewers on both the Weverse and Naver livestreams became upset owing to technical difficulties that made it impossible to see the event from middle to finish.

BTS kicked off 'BTS YET TO COME> in BUSAN with "MIC DROP," and the septet showcased their top-notch choreography for the first time with "Run BTS." Jin, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook performed "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" and "Butterfly" as unit performances, while RM, SUGA, and j-hope sang "UGH! " and "BTS Cypher PT.3: KILLER," raising the energy level throughout the stadium. The septet completed the program with familiar hit songs like "Dynamite," "Butter," "Burning Up (FIRE)," "IDOL," and "Spring Day," totaling 19 songs that the group performed with a live band. The lineup included songs that best represented the band, and anyone—not just ARMY—could easily sing along.

The concert was loaded with symbols representing Busan and Korean culture. BTS, for example, performed "Ma City," which featured graphic representations of Busan's stunning monuments and landscape. The "IDOL" stage captivated the global audience with traditional Korean sights and performances such as Bukcheong saja noreum (a Korean traditional game that involves dancing with lion masks).

BTS said, “We hope our concert tonight will help promote Busan and support the city’s bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan.” They added later, “As the title ‘BTS <Yet To Come> in BUSAN’ suggests, we have no doubt that tonight was the best moment for everyone here and the seven of us. With our hopes to spend another brightest moment together again, we present to you our last song of the night.” BTS closed the show with “Yet To Come (The Most Beautiful Moment),” suggesting a brighter future for all. 

On a personal note, I was among those who watched the livestream, and I genuinely hope that HYBE provides a free video of the entire concert, as I, like the millions of ARMY who also streamed, missed a lot due to technical troubles on both channels.

BTS <Yet To Come> THE CITY in BUSAN

BTS <YET TO COME> THE CITY in BUSAN, a counterpart initiative to 'BTS YET TO COME> in BUSAN,' gave a wonderful experience to many Busan residents and visitors through its different activations, displaying Busan's unique characteristics.

BORAHAE BUSAN PHOTOS FROM BUSAN METROPOLITAN CITY

The '2022 BTS EXHIBITION: PROOF' exhibitions in Seoul (September 28) and Busan (October 5) attracted roughly 20,000 visitors by October 15, with more than two-thirds of the attendees at the Busan venue being foreigners. The pop-up stores 'BTS <YET TO COME> in BUSAN - Official Merchandise Store' in Seoul and Busan drew 16,000 visitors, 10,000 of whom came to the Busan location. 'BTS YET TO COME> THE CITY in BUSAN - THEMED PACKAGE' also drew a large crowd, with foreigners accounting for two-thirds of all reservations. Not to mention that the BTS <YET TO COME> THE CITY in BUSAN - Pre-Gathering Event was crowded with hundreds of fans rejoicing and enjoying the excitement leading up to the event. Nearly 4,000 tickets for 'BTS <YET TO COME> THE CITY in BUSAN - AFTER PARTY' were sold out due to people wanting to extend the excitement of the event through various BTS related multimedia shows.

On Twitter, there were over 9.3 million keyword hashtag counts relating to 'BTS <YET TO COME> in BUSAN' and 'THE CITY,' while keywords related to World Expo 2030 Busan received over 200,000 counts. The number of references was 45 times higher than previous year, demonstrating the celebratory environment throughout Busan and excitement for World Expo 2030 Busan.

In order to hold the World Expo 2030 in Busan, the city commemorated 'BTS <YET TO COME> in BUSAN' on a huge scale with a drone show at Gwangalli Beach. Furthermore, through October 17, key landmarks such as Busan Metropolitan City Hall, Gwangan Bridge, and others will be lit in purple, reenacting 'BORAHAE BUSAN.'

BIE (Bureau International des Expositions) member countries will choose the host country for World Expo 2030. If Busan's proposal is successful, World Expo 2030 Busan, Korea will be held from May 1 to October 31, 2030, in the Busan North Port Area, with the theme "Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future."