The group BTS.
The group BTS captivated 150,000 Mexicans.
BTS held ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN MEXICO CITY’ over three days on the 7th and 9-10 (local time) at Estadio GNP Seguros(Estadio GNP Seguros) in Mexico City, meeting about 150,000 attendees. It was their first full-group solo concert in Mexico in about 10 years and 10 months since July 2015, and all three shows sold out as soon as ticketing opened.
BTS drew an explosive response from Mexican fans with solid live vocals and flawless group choreography. The ‘Airplane pt.2’ stage was the highlight of the show. When they delivered the lyric “We goin’ from Mexico City”, the audience roared at the city name appearing in the song.
Incorporating Mexican culture throughout the performance also drew great enthusiasm. For the ‘Aliens’ stage, dancers wearing traditional Mexican pro wrestling lucha libre(lucha libre) masks appeared, and a scene of V enjoying the local snack Banderilla(Banderilla) during ‘IDOL’ spread rapidly on social media.
The members said that the audience was truly the best and that they would definitely return to Mexico. They also offered thanks in Spanish, saying they would not forget the fervor that began at Zocalo Square and that they were leaving with fond memories of Mexico.
The excitement outside the venue was intense as well. Local authorities estimated that about 35,000 fans surrounded the stadium on the second and third days of the concerts. As the crowds spilled onto nearby roads, some sections were temporarily closed. The LA Times noted that it is rare for a boy band to become a matter of international diplomacy and covered an official invitation from the Office of the President of Mexico and the explosive public reaction. The outlet reported that more than one million people attempted to buy tickets and that those who could not enter gathered around the venue.
BTS's economic impact, often called ‘BTSnomics’(BTSnomics), is also drawing significant attention. The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce expects the concerts to generate an economic impact of about $107.5 million (approximately 155.7 billion KRW), including ticket sales, air travel, lodging, food and beverage, and spending in local commercial districts. With an influx of domestic and international tourists, lodging is estimated at about $17 million (approximately 24.6 billion KRW), and spending on food, beverages, and services at about $2.18 million (approximately 3.2 billion KRW).
Meanwhile, BTS will perform for audiences on the 16-17 and 19 at Stanford Stadium(Stanford Stadium). Ahead of their shows, the city transportation infrastructure is mobilizing. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) announced on its official social media that it plans to operate certain bus routes on a special schedule for the concert.
