Group BIGBANG's popularity remains 'ongoing.' This year, as they celebrate their 20th anniversary, events planned to mark the occasion are selling out rapidly, demonstrating their enduring appeal. A concert that attracted 210,000 fans sold out in just 22 minutes, while a fan event by the Han River was fully booked in six minutes. The release of their new song, their first in over four years, has also generated significant buzz. BIGBANG's current activities extend beyond a one-time music release; they are engaging fans through a comprehensive project that includes media exhibitions and pop-up stores, allowing them to reflect on the past 20 years while creating new memories.
The narrative begins with the new song. BIGBANG will release their latest digital single, 'BiiiG,' at 6 p.m. on their debut anniversary, August 19. This marks their first new music since 'Still Life' in April 2022. The title 'BiiiG' is a variation of the word 'big,' reflecting the group's identity.
Immediately following the song's release, at 8 p.m. on August 19, they will host a 'BIGBANG 20th Anniversary X Han River Collaboration' event at the Water Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park. This event, featuring a DJ performance of their hit songs, a drone show, and media art, sold out in just six minutes during pre-sales. It will be the first opportunity for fans to experience the new song live, with a free real-time broadcast available for WOW members.
The excitement will continue with a solo concert. BIGBANG will kick off their world tour, 'BIGBANG 2026·2027 World Tour: XX: COSMOS,' from August 21 to 23 at Goyang Sports Complex. This concert will showcase their musical journey over the past 20 years and hint at their future direction. The first round of ticket sales for the Goyang concert saw a record 210,000 people waiting, and the second round sold out in just seven minutes. The organizing team announced that additional seats will be made available on August 18 at 7 p.m. Following this concert, BIGBANG will embark on a global tour, performing in 19 cities across North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.
Outside the concert venues, the city is transforming into a massive festival to welcome fans. At the center of this celebration is the media exhibition 'COSMOS,' which integrates artificial intelligence (AI), holograms, extended reality (XR), and virtual reality (VR). Leading up to the main exhibition at the underground space 'dududo SEOUL' near Sicheong Station, various prequel events are currently taking place in the Jamsil area until August 23.
The media exhibition at the 6th floor Art Hall of Avenue L features archival videos and unreleased photos documenting the past 20 years. A bridge connecting Avenue L and Lotte World Mall offers an interactive experience where fans can convert their supportive messages into a media art piece using the 'Arecibo Code.' Additionally, a pop-up store featuring limited-edition desserts created in collaboration with a famous bakery is set up in the basement of Lotte World Mall.
With support from Songpa District, the area around Seokchon Lake is also embracing the 20th-anniversary atmosphere. A lighting event inspired by the official light stick, 'Bang Bong,' is taking place, and a large 'Bang Bong Crown' sculpture has been installed at the waterfront stage as a photo spot. A special lighting ceremony will be held at 8:19 p.m. on August 19 to commemorate the occasion.
In addition to the exhibitions, a pop-up store featuring official tour merchandise is attracting fans. Since August 14, a pop-up at the Musinsa Mega Store in Seongsu and the Standard Myeongdong has been selling a 'Light Stick 20th Anniversary Edition' designed to symbolize the connection between BIGBANG and their fandom, V.I.P.
This 20th-anniversary project focuses on providing fans with tangible experiences rather than merely reflecting on the past. With the music release as a starting point, BIGBANG aims to engage closely with fans across concert venues, the Han River, Jamsil, and urban spaces.
Fans have responded enthusiastically. One fan, identified as A, who attended the Jamsil prequel exhibition, expressed, "I was so excited for the long-awaited comeback, and being at the exhibition made me realize again that 'BIGBANG is BIGBANG.' The various events and the attention to detail show their genuine care for fans."
The narrative begins with the new song. BIGBANG will release their latest digital single, 'BiiiG,' at 6 p.m. on their debut anniversary, August 19. This marks their first new music since 'Still Life' in April 2022. The title 'BiiiG' is a variation of the word 'big,' reflecting the group's identity.
Immediately following the song's release, at 8 p.m. on August 19, they will host a 'BIGBANG 20th Anniversary X Han River Collaboration' event at the Water Stage in Yeouido Hangang Park. This event, featuring a DJ performance of their hit songs, a drone show, and media art, sold out in just six minutes during pre-sales. It will be the first opportunity for fans to experience the new song live, with a free real-time broadcast available for WOW members.
The excitement will continue with a solo concert. BIGBANG will kick off their world tour, 'BIGBANG 2026·2027 World Tour: XX: COSMOS,' from August 21 to 23 at Goyang Sports Complex. This concert will showcase their musical journey over the past 20 years and hint at their future direction. The first round of ticket sales for the Goyang concert saw a record 210,000 people waiting, and the second round sold out in just seven minutes. The organizing team announced that additional seats will be made available on August 18 at 7 p.m. Following this concert, BIGBANG will embark on a global tour, performing in 19 cities across North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia.
Outside the concert venues, the city is transforming into a massive festival to welcome fans. At the center of this celebration is the media exhibition 'COSMOS,' which integrates artificial intelligence (AI), holograms, extended reality (XR), and virtual reality (VR). Leading up to the main exhibition at the underground space 'dududo SEOUL' near Sicheong Station, various prequel events are currently taking place in the Jamsil area until August 23.
The media exhibition at the 6th floor Art Hall of Avenue L features archival videos and unreleased photos documenting the past 20 years. A bridge connecting Avenue L and Lotte World Mall offers an interactive experience where fans can convert their supportive messages into a media art piece using the 'Arecibo Code.' Additionally, a pop-up store featuring limited-edition desserts created in collaboration with a famous bakery is set up in the basement of Lotte World Mall.
With support from Songpa District, the area around Seokchon Lake is also embracing the 20th-anniversary atmosphere. A lighting event inspired by the official light stick, 'Bang Bong,' is taking place, and a large 'Bang Bong Crown' sculpture has been installed at the waterfront stage as a photo spot. A special lighting ceremony will be held at 8:19 p.m. on August 19 to commemorate the occasion.
In addition to the exhibitions, a pop-up store featuring official tour merchandise is attracting fans. Since August 14, a pop-up at the Musinsa Mega Store in Seongsu and the Standard Myeongdong has been selling a 'Light Stick 20th Anniversary Edition' designed to symbolize the connection between BIGBANG and their fandom, V.I.P.
This 20th-anniversary project focuses on providing fans with tangible experiences rather than merely reflecting on the past. With the music release as a starting point, BIGBANG aims to engage closely with fans across concert venues, the Han River, Jamsil, and urban spaces.
Fans have responded enthusiastically. One fan, identified as A, who attended the Jamsil prequel exhibition, expressed, "I was so excited for the long-awaited comeback, and being at the exhibition made me realize again that 'BIGBANG is BIGBANG.' The various events and the attention to detail show their genuine care for fans."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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