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BTS Makes a Grand Return To ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’
- Rosa Gulliver
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Rosa Gulliver of TINYGMUSIC | March 27, 2026
BTS made a landmark return to ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ with back-to-back performances on March 25 and 26, marking their first U.S. late-night appearance following the release of their fifth studio album ARIRANG.
Filmed at New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the performances were inspired by the iconic landmark utilising the museum’s ramps for a multi-level, immersive stage as a dynamic performance environment. Across two nights, BTS performed their lead single “SWIM” and album track “2.0” for an intimate audience of ARMY.
“SWIM” opened with the members descending along the Guggenheim’s signature rotunda before converging at the central stage. The staging drew from traditional Korean sensibilities, with the audience seated on floor cushions surrounding the performance space, evoking the intimacy of communal gathering. Water-like lighting refracted across the museum’s curved walls, visually echoing the track’s central theme of moving forward through life’s ever-changing waves.
For “2.0,” the audience filled the spiralling ramps across multiple levels, creating a dynamic, layered perspective across the space. Dramatic backlighting silhouetted the audience, projecting their presence across the space and reinforcing the track’s theme of transformation and growth, as BTS step into a new, defining era.
BTS also joined Jimmy Fallon for an interview, where they spoke candidly about coming back together as seven, reflecting on their time apart, and the creative process behind ARIRANG, with loud cheers filling the studio throughout the segment. Opening the segment in slippers, the members made their entrance from the back of the audience, walking through the crowd, greeting fans along the way, and descending the steps to the couch, setting a warm and playful tone from the start. Reflecting on the moment they were finally back together, Jin shared, “I felt like I had reunited with family,” as the members took turns expressing what they had missed about one another. Fallon later described the moment as “the new era of BTS.” The segment also featured a special fan surprise, bringing BTS face-to-face with ARMY in an unexpected moment that highlighted their close bond, as a group of fans was invited into the studio for a surprise interaction.
Bringing their signature humour and charm, BTS created a series of memorable moments throughout the segment. The members surprised Fallon with a pair of slippers, introducing the Korean custom of changing into indoor footwear and transforming the set into a “home away from home.” The moment also tied back to a lyric from the track “Aliens”: “If you wanna hit my house, 신발은 벗어놔 (take your shoes off).” A spontaneous couch swap added to the lively atmosphere, while the group engaged directly with fan-submitted questions, describing ARMY in one word as “Love,” highlighting their deep connection.
The conversation also touched on their upcoming BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG.’ The group extended a playful on-air invitation to Fallon to attend their East Rutherford show, as they gear up to take ARIRANG on the road.
ARIRANG is now available on all streaming platforms worldwide.
About BTS
BTS, an acronym of Bangtan Sonyeondan or “Beyond the Scene,” are a GRAMMY-nominated South Korean boyband 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 MTV Video Music Awards. The band will release their fifth Studio Album ARIRANG on March 20, 2026 with a massive world tour to follow, signalling a return set to be etched in pop culture history.
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