Crowds gathered to see BTS, who visited the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) in Mexico City at the official invitation of President Claudia Sheinbaum. Yonhap News
On the 6th (local time), BTS visited the National Palace (Palacio Nacional) in Mexico City at the official invitation of President Claudia Sheinbaum. When the members appeared on the balcony with President Sheinbaum, about 50,000 fans packed the adjacent Zocalo Square and erupted in cheers.
At her daily press conference Mananera, President Sheinbaum said, “BTS will visit the presidential office, and we will open the balcony so they can greet citizens.” On BTS’s music, she said, “It always conveys messages of friendship, peace, and love.” It is considered unusual for the National Palace balcony to be opened to a foreign pop-culture figure.
BTS will hold the Mexico City leg of their world tour ‘Arirang’ (ARIRANG) at Estadio GNP Seguros over three days on the 7th, 9th, and 10th. All three shows are sold out. The Mexican Chamber of Commerce estimated that the concerts will generate an economic ripple effect of about $107.5 million, or KRW 155.7 billion.
This warm reception is underpinned by ‘K-pop friendship diplomacy’ between the two countries’ leaders. In January, at Mananera, President Sheinbaum disclosed that she had sent a letter to President Lee Jae Myung requesting additional shows, saying, “About one million people wanted tickets, but there are only 150,000 seats.” In February, President Lee reportedly replied that “although BTS concerts are driven by the private sector, we will review Mexico’s request.”
From the square, President Sheinbaum said, “I’ve already told the group they need to come again next year,” hinting at a return visit. However, the agency issued no separate official statement on this.
BTS’s new album ‘Arirang’ and its title track ‘Swim’ (SWIM) have reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 main albums chart and the Hot 100 singles chart. According to Spotify listening statistics, Mexico is the country that listens to BTS’s music the most.
