K-Pop supergroup BTS and its Mexican ARMY became one once again on Thursday (May 7) during the highly anticipated return of the South Korean giants to the Latin American country after a nine-year hiatus. For the first of three nights at the GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City, the septet dazzled its local fandom with Spanish dialogue, cowboy hats and T-shirts that read “Ciudad de México.”
“I learned a little Spanish. I want to tell you in Spanish how happy I am right now,” V said in Spanish to the 50,000 fans who packed the venue, according to figures from promoter Ocesa. “First of all, I miss ARMY Mexico so much. I love ARMY Mexico so much. So, I hope you love me a lot, too. You are the reason for my life; you are my everything.”
The stadium roared in unison to celebrate their idols. In addition to V, RM, Jungkook and Jimin also spoke messages in the local language. The lattermost used a mobile phone to read some phrases he had prepared for his fans: “You listen to our songs a lot, right?” Jimin asked the crowd. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I didn’t know you’d be this amazing here. You really know how to have fun. You’re the best. I love you more than anyone.”
Prior, Jungkook had taken the microphone to welcome the fandom. “It’s the first night here. Let’s make it worth it,” he said.
And hours before the first show in Mexico, j-hope shared a video on his social media, wearing a cowboy hat and playing “Tu Sancho” by Fuerza Regida in the background. As a result, Mexican fans showered him with affection, shouting, “Hobi, brother, you’re already Mexican!”
The ARIRANG World Tour party in Mexico City kicked off with “Hooligan” and continued with fans singing along at the top of their lungs to “Aliens,” “they don’t know ’bout us,” “Like Animals,” “SWIM” and “Merry Go Round.” The audience in the massive stadium was illuminated by thousands of Light Sticks — the iconic glowing devices fans bring to BTS shows — that synchronized to the rhythm of the music.
In the monumental 360-degree stage set up in the middle of the stadium, the aesthetics of the South Korean flag were recreated during one segment of the show. It was a tribute from BTS to their homeland, of which they are proud ambassadors and whose culture is now admired by millions through their music.
Later in the setlist, songs like “FYA,” “Fire,” “Body to Body” and “IDOL” made an appearance, with which Bangtan — as the group is also known — began a victory lap around the stadium, carrying flags and accompanied by dancers, while their thousands of fans captured photos of their idols on their phones.
The surprise songs of their first night in Mexico were “Boy In Luv” and “So What,” taking the audience on a nostalgic journey that drew applause, laughter and tears from the fandom.
But the celebration wasn’t limited to inside the GNP Seguros Stadium. Outside, thousands of people who couldn’t get tickets for the show gathered on nearby streets to sing and dance to the music and fireworks they could hear and see from afar. The energy remained high for over two hours, with some fans’ Light Sticks also synchronizing outside the venue.
Fulfilling its promise to include Mexico in the next BTS tour — a country the group has now visited four times — the show ended with hits like “Dynamite,” “Please” and “Into the Sun.”
The group then delivered more Spanish phrases to thank fans and close out the night. “Mexican ARMY are always the most passionate,” RM said. “Thanks to you, I was very happy today.”
BTS will perform its second and third scheduled concerts in Mexico City this Saturday and Sunday (May 9 and 10) at the GNP Seguros Stadium. As part of its world tour in support of new album, ARIRANG, the septet will visit South American countries including Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil in October. According to the current schedule, the tour is set to conclude in March 2027 in Manila, Philippines.
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