SEOUL, May 09 (AJP) - K-pop giant BTS made a long-awaited return to Mexico City on Friday, performing before a sold-out crowd of 65,000 at the Estadio GNP Seguros. The concert marked the group's first appearance in the Mexican capital since 2017, ending a nearly decade-long wait for local fans.
The performance opened with "Hooligan," a track from their latest album Arirang, instantly energizing a stadium situated 2,240 meters above sea level. The setlist showcased a deliberate fusion of contemporary pop and traditional Korean heritage, as the audience joined in a massive sing-along of the folk anthem "Arirang" during the performance of "Body to Body." Fans also delivered synchronized chants for the group's global hits, including the 2018 smash "Fake Love" and their recent Billboard-topping single "Swim."
The scale of the event extended beyond the stadium walls, with thousands of fans who were unable to secure tickets gathering outside the venue. Within the arena, the atmosphere remained electric as members addressed the crowd in Spanish, expressing their gratitude for the enduring support despite the long absence. Member Suga noted the overwhelming energy of the crowd, apologizing for the ten-year gap between visits and promising a more frequent presence in future tours.
The two-hour show concluded with an emotional rendition of "Hold Me Tight," a 2015 track that fans sang in clear Korean while holding placards urging the group to return. The group is scheduled to perform two more sold-out shows at the same venue on May 10 and 11, completing a three-day residency that underscores their significant cultural and commercial footprint in Latin America.
“We definitely realized tonight that we must make Mexico a mandatory stop on our next tour,” the members told the crowd before the final curtain. “Te amo, Mexico City.”
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