SEOUL, South Korea : Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is set to light up its iconic skyscrapers, bridges, and other landmarks in a vibrant shade of purple as the country rejoices in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the renowned K-pop band, BTS. The group’s global success has become a matter of great national pride.
These radiant lights will serve as the backdrop for a series of engaging events driven by social media, commemorating the momentous debut of the seven-member ensemble in 2013. Presently, BTS is on a temporary hiatus, with individual members releasing solo projects and others fulfilling their mandatory military duties.
Starting from Monday evening, a multitude of Seoul’s notable structures, including City Hall, the towering 123-story Lotte World Tower, several Han River bridges, and the avant-garde DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza) — an architectural marvel crafted by Zaha Hadid, renowned for its aluminum and concrete dome often used for visual art exhibitions — will be illuminated in the symbolic color of purple, closely associated with BTS. Both city officials and the group’s management company, Hybe, confirm this tribute.
Digital screens adorning buildings throughout Seoul will display messages of congratulations to BTS, while the national postal authorities will issue special stamps commemorating the group’s anniversary. These stamps will be available for purchase at post offices starting Tuesday.
Seoul’s local administration anticipates that these celebratory events, spanning approximately two weeks, will contribute to an upsurge in tourism. More than a dozen locations associated with BTS have been designated by the city, including venues where the group held groundbreaking performances and filmed some of their iconic music videos.
As part of the festivities, a fireworks display is scheduled to take place at a park near the Han River on Saturday night. Prior to that, one of the BTS members, RM, will engage in a live talk with fans, which will be streamed online.
Following their debut, BTS swiftly gained a massive following in Asia, and their popularity soon transcended borders with the release of their megahit single “Dynamite” in 2020. This track marked the band’s first all-English song, propelling them to become the first K-pop act to top Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Since then, BTS has performed to sold-out arenas worldwide and even had the honor of speaking at United Nations meetings. Supported by their devoted global fanbase, affectionately known as the “Army,” BTS has cemented their status as international superstars.
Currently, BTS is temporarily on hold as its members begin their mandatory military service. Already, two BTS singers, Jin and J-Hope, have commenced their compulsory 18-month duty, while the remaining members will follow suit in the coming months. Consequently, it is expected that the group will reunite around the year 2025.
Under the South Korean conscription system, all able-bodied men are obliged to serve in the military for a period of 18 to 21 months, aiming to deter potential aggression from their neighboring country, North Korea.
