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BTS Make Their Long-Awaited Debut in Colombia
Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | October 5, 2026
BTS officially opened the Latin American leg of ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ with two sold-out nights at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, drawing nearly 100,000 fans for the group’s first-ever concerts in Colombia.
The Bogotá shows marked the beginning of a major new chapter of the tour, as BTS embarked on a 14-show run spanning Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. For ARMY in Colombia, the concerts brought a years-long wait to an end, with BTS taking the stage in the country for the first time since their debut.
At the centre of the show is ARIRANG, BTS’ chart-topping fifth studio album. The tour translates the album’s exploration of identity, belonging and connection into a stadium-scale production, placing its new music alongside songs that have defined different chapters of the group’s career.
The tour has garnered attention for blending the beauty of Korean heritage and modern sensibility. The members moved through flowing fabrics inspired by the fluid, rhythmic movements of seungmu, creating a more intimate moment that drew the audience in.
The theme comes into sharper focus during “they don’t know ’bout us,” a song about choosing to stand confidently in who you are rather than allowing outside perceptions to define you. Handheld screens modeled after tal, traditional Korean masks, surround the members before giving way to the members themselves. Paired with a stark black-and-white VCR, the staging turns the idea of concealing and revealing identity into one of the show’s defining visual moments. Adding another layer to the visual experience, the members also debuted new stage outfits for the LATAM leg, further elevating the visual impact of the performances.
BTS officially opened the Latin American leg of ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ with two sold-out nights BTS officially opened the Latin American leg of ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ with two sold-out nights BTS officially opened the Latin American leg of ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ with two sold-out nights
Photo Credit: BIGHIT MUSIC/HYBE
The connection between BTS and ARMY in Colombia extended beyond the performances themselves. Clips of the members speaking to fans in Spanish quickly circulated online following the shows. V, in particular, shared a heartfelt message in Spanish, saying “Estoy estudiando español, pero mi español todavía no es muy bueno.” (I'm studying Spanish, but my Spanish still isn't very good.) He continued, "Entonces, ayúdenme, parce. Hoy fui muy muy muy feliz. Tenía muchas ganas de verlos y ahora que estoy aquí con ustedes, Bogotá está muy bacano. ¡Bogotá, qué chimba! Así se dice, ¿ves? La próxima vez que vuelva, voy a hablar mucho mejor español. Sí que, nos vemos otra vez. Los quiero mucho, Bogotá. Nos vemos pronto." (So help me out, friends! Today I was very, very, very happy. I was dying to see you all, and now that I'm here with you. Bogotá, you guys are super cool. It’s insane. That's how you say it, right! Next time I come back, I'm gonna speak much better Spanish. So, with that, see you again here. I love you so much, Bogotá. See you all soon.) Jimin also expressed his awe at the audience’s passionate energy, remarking, “This is our first time coming here, and I think your voices were one of the biggest of all the tours we've had.” The crowd playfully shouted “papacito” (handsome), before erupting into an even louder wave of cheers and screams.
During the concert, a PSA from nonprofit Fundación Ábaco was also shown on the stadium screens, featuring a call to action and QR code encouraging the audience to donate to food banks supporting earthquake-affected communities. In August, HYBE donated 1 billion Colombian pesos to Colombian nonprofit Fundación Ábaco to support earthquake relief and reco very efforts.
The PSA featured the following message (translated):
In Colombia, thousands of families have been affected by the earthquake.
Today, they still need something as basic as food.
Food Banks are there to bring help to those who need it most.
HYBE already decided to join.
And you can too.
From this concert, we can send a message that reaches much further:
Colombia, We stand with you.
(the donation QR code appears on screen here).
Because when we come together, we can help aid reach more families.
Bogotá is the first of five Latin American markets on the current leg, with BTS set to continue to Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo. The group’s arrival is already extending beyond the stadiums themselves. In La Plata, Argentina, the City Council named BTS “Huéspedes de Honor” (Guests of Honor) ahead of the group’s three October performances, an official distinction recognising distinguished visitors and internationally recognised figures in culture and the arts.
Following Bogotá, BTS will continue its stadium tour across Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, bringing ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’’ to fans across the region.
About BTS
BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean band that has been capturing the hearts of millions of fans globally since their debut in June 2013. The members of BTS are RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook. Gaining recognition for their authentic and self-produced music, top-notch performances, and their deep connection with fans, the band has established a legacy as 21st century pop icons breaking countless world records. While imparting a positive influence through activities such as the LOVE MYSELF campaign and the UN ‘Speak Yourself’ speech, the band has mobilised millions of fans across the world (named ARMY), earned six No.1 Billboard Hot 100 singles since 2020, and performed multiple sold-out stadium shows across the world. They were also named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2020. BTS are 5-time GRAMMY nominees (63rd to 65th GRAMMY Awards) and have been recognised with numerous prestigious awards like the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards (Artist of the Year 2021 and 2026) and MTV Video Music Awards. Released in March, 2026, BTS’ massively successful fifth studio album ARIRANG debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, while its lead single “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2026, BTS returned to the global stage with the record-breaking 'BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG'' and made history by headlining the first-ever FIFA World Cup Halftime Show, further reinforcing their status as one of the defining cultural acts of their generation.
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