Photos: K-pop’s BTS on stage for first Seoul gig since pandemic

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South Korean supergroup BTS on Thursday returned to the stage in Seoul for the first time since 2019, with an adoring home-grown crowd offering only applause as Covid rules barred all screaming, chanting or singing. Image Credit: AFP

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The show is the first of three concerts for the chart-topping septet titled “Permission to Dance on Stage - Seoul” at the capital’s Olympic Stadium. Image Credit: AFP

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Since BTS’ last performance for domestic fans in 2019, the band have gone from strength to strength despite the pandemic, with three Billboard-topping singles and two Grammy nominations. Image Credit: AFP

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Fans waved purple LED wands — the official colour of BTS fandom — in sync when the band appeared on stage, with rhythmic clapping filling the 60,000-capacity stadium, which was only a quarter full due to social distancing measures. Image Credit: AFP

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Band leader RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, said they were thrilled to be performing in front of a live audience again. “The fact that you are all seated in the stands shows a lot has changed,” he said, referring to a livestream-only concert they performed to empty seats a few months ago. “When would we get a concert where we get this much clapping? This is a concert to be remembered in history.” Image Credit: AFP

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Bandmate Kim Tae-hyung, stage name V, added: “I’m so touched and thrilled that our ARMY are here.” Image Credit: AFP

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Tickets for the three concerts — 45,000 in all — sold out within minutes, despite stringent social-distancing requirements for the BTS fans, known as ARMY. Image Credit: AFP

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Chanting, singing, screaming or even standing up were all banned, as South Korea battles an Omicron spike, with more than 300,000 cases reported Thursday. Image Credit: AFP

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But fans including Heo Min-hee, a 25-year-old office worker, said being at the concert was a “dream” despite the restrictions. “I still can’t believe that this is my seat whenever I look at my ticket,” Heo told AFP before the concert. Image Credit: AP

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Han Aeng-hee, a 53-year-old fan from Gyeonggi province, added: “I prayed every morning to secure a ticket and miraculously, I got tickets to the first and last concerts.” “I’m very grateful,” she said. Image Credit: AFP

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Photos: K-pop’s BTS on stage for first Seoul gig since pandemic

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Photos: K-pop’s BTS on stage for first Seoul gig since pandemic

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