{"id":2031092,"date":"2026-07-07T09:28:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2031092"},"modified":"2026-07-07T09:28:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T06:28:50","slug":"bts-celebrate-englands-world-cup-win-and-bring-korean-symbolism-to-london-as-they-return-to-uk-first-time-in-seven-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2031092","title":{"rendered":"BTS celebrate England\u2019s World Cup win and bring Korean symbolism to London as they return to UK first time in seven years"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-tottenham-stadium-credit-hybe-bighit-music.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">BTS celebrate England\u2019s World Cup win and bring Korean symbolism to London as they return to UK first time in seven years<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The group\u2019s \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour weaves aspects of traditional Korean music, architecture and dance into the production <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Rhian Daly<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-07T10:28:50+01:00\">7th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-tottenham-stadium-credit-hybe-bighit-music-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"BTS\" title=\"bts-tottenham-stadium-credit-hybe-bighit-music\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>BTS returned to London for the first time in seven years, holding the first of two sold-out shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night (Monday July 6).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0BTS \u2013 \u2018Arirang\u2019 review: Korea\u2019s pop kings make a grand return<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The record-breaking Korean group are currently in the middle of their \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour, in support of their latest album of the same name, and kickstarted the European leg late last month in Madrid and Brussels. Following tonight\u2019s (July 7) final London show, they will move on to Munich and Paris, before continuing the 88-date tour in North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The London shows mark BTS\u2019 first in the UK as a group since they made history at Wembley in 2019, and the members referred to those shows during last night\u2019s performance. \u201cI don\u2019t think you guys have changed in that time,\u201d rapper Suga told the crowd at one point. \u201cI\u2019m still feeling the emotions I felt seven or eight years ago in Wembley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leader RM added: \u201cIt gives a lot of reminiscence and memories of when we were at Wembley. [Then], I was [wearing] the cap with Sonny [former Tottenham player Son Heung-min] on it and everything was fine, but then there was COVID, there was military, and now we\u2019re here in 2026, together. I\u2019ve missed you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955418\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955418\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-london-arirang-credit-hybe.jpg\" alt=\"BTS\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour weaves aspects of traditional Korean music, architecture, dance and more into the production. As fans filtered into the venue and awaited BTS\u2019 arrival,\u00a0traditional music called <em>gukak<\/em> played over the PA while videos on the screens showed hanji-inspired designs. Performances of \u2018Arirang\u2019 songs also incorporated traditional Korean culture, from \u2018They Don\u2019t Know \u2018Bout Us\u2019 screens based on masks known as <em>tal<\/em>, and the use of white fabrics to bring inspiration from the <em>seungmu<\/em> dance into the show.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Body To Body\u2019, meanwhile, saw the group and their dancers recreate a traditional circle dance, <em>ganggangsullae<\/em>, as the crew carried LED flags and ribbons inspired by hat-spinning, or <em>sangmo<\/em>. As on record, the track also features a snippet of the traditional folk song \u2018Arirang\u2019, from which the album and tour take their name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>For this tour, BTS are performing on a 360-degree stage, allowing them to get closer to the stadium audience than a typical set-up. In keeping with the rest of the production, the stage also draws on Korean culture, inspired by the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and its four runways and central stage representing South Korea\u2019s flag, <em>Taegeukgi<\/em>, and its four <em>Geongongamri<\/em> trigrams.<\/p>\n<p>Videos shown on the big screens during breaks in the show also carried symbolism relating to the <em>Taegeukgi<\/em>, with one using visuals to represent its central yin-yang design, and aspects symbolising heaven, earth, water and fire. A second video, meanwhile, saw intertwining trees (<em>yeonriji<\/em>) growing across the screen, reflecting a meaning of love and connection.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dad9QYPoCbU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As BTS brought a taste of their home to the UK, they also mixed in their knowledge of their host country. RM nodded to England\u2019s World Cup victory over Mexico the night before, changing the lyrics to part of \u2018Mic Drop\u2019 to \u201c<em>Haters gonna hate \/ Players gonna play \/ Congrats on the win for the World Cup<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Later, he shared that the group have been something of a good luck charm for the countries they\u2019ve visited during the tournament. \u201cWe always bring luck to every place \u2013 when we were in Belgium, Belgium won,\u201d he said. \u201cNow we\u2019re in London and [England] won.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jungkook nodded to the UK\u2019s reputation for bad weather, saying: \u201cThey say London is famous for the rain, but tonight you guys are bringing all the heat. Show everyone why London is one of the best crowds in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>V later reflected on London as \u201cthe place I like the most\u201d, telling the crowd they \u201calways go above my expectations\u201d, while showing off some of the Britishisms he\u2019s picked up on the trip. \u201cCheers, mate. Y\u2019know?\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s all I know.\u201d Jin, meanwhile, looked back on his last visit to the city as part of his solo tour last year, and shared a story from this visit. \u201cSome of us went to a restaurant yesterday, and it was really nice,\u201d he told the stadium. \u201cI had a waffle with duck on it, and that was really tasty. Do you guys know what that is? You have tasty food here, and I think it\u2019s a good [place].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Across the \u2018Arirang\u2019 tour, BTS have been mixing up the setlist with a section of surprise songs, airing deep cuts and fan favourites that change up every night. \u201cThat was just the warm-up, right?\u201d J-hope said after \u2018Dynamite\u2019, as the group prepared to launch into the mystery tracks. \u201cWe\u2019ve got something real special for you up next.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanna hear more from ARMY,\u201d Jimin said, referring to their fanbase\u2019s name. \u201cWhat do you wanna sing?\u201d As he patrolled the stage, he shouted out requests from the crowd, including \u201821st Century Girl\u2019, \u2018Pied Piper\u2019 and \u2018Just One Day\u2019. While huge cheers rang around the venue for each of those names, it was \u2018Life Goes On\u2019, taken from the band\u2019s 2020 album \u2018Be\u2019, and \u2018Map Of The Soul: Persona\u2019 track \u2018Dionysus\u2019 that made the cut for the first London setlist.<\/p>\n<p>As the show came to an end with \u2018Into The Sun\u2019, a burst of fireworks decorated the sky, capping a spectacular performance on the stage with a similar extravaganza above.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955419\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-tottenham-night-one-credit-hybe-bighit-music.jpg\" alt=\"BTS\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>BTS played:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u2018Hooligan\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Aliens\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Run BTS\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018They Don\u2019t Know \u2018Bout Us\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Like Animals\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Fake Love\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Swim\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Merry Go Round\u2019<br \/>\n\u20182.0\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Normal\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Not Today\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Mic Drop\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018FYA\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Fire\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Body To Body\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Idol\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Come Over\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Butter\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dynamite\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Life Goes On\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dionysus\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Please\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Into The Sun\u2019<\/p>\n<p>As well as continuing their world tour, BTS are also set to perform at the first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show. The last match in this year\u2019s tournament will take place at New Jersey\u2019s MetLife Stadium on July 19, and will feature a star-studded live show, similar to the Super Bowl\u2019s traditional Halftime Show.<\/p>\n<p>The performance has been curated by Coldplay\u2019s Chris Martin, who has collaborated with BTS on their single \u2018My Universe\u2019, and co-wrote Jin\u2019s debut solo single \u2018The Astronaut\u2019. Shakira and Madonna will also appear at the event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>BTS<\/li>\n<li>J-hope<\/li>\n<li>Jimin<\/li>\n<li>Jin<\/li>\n<li>Jungkook<\/li>\n<li>K-pop<\/li>\n<li>RM<\/li>\n<li>Suga<\/li>\n<li>V<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_93 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_93\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\">\n<h4 class=\"td-block-title\"><span class=\"td-pulldown-size\">TRENDING<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_93\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NME-HERO-HAUTE-AND-FREDDY-CREDIT-KRISTEN-JAN-WONG@2560x1707-400x267.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/NME-HERO-HAUTE-AND-FREDDY-CREDIT-KRISTEN-JAN-WONG@2560x1707-800x533.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Step right up! 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class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_104 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>More Stories<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap td_flex_block_1 tdi_105 td-pb-border-top td_module_flex_1--card td_module_flex_1--card--highlight td_block_template_2 tdc-no-posts td_flex_block\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_105\">\n<div class=\"td-block-title-wrap\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_105\" class=\"td_block_inner td-mc1-wrap\">\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/OPENER_2026_JENNIE_CZYZEWSKI_DSC07742-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/OPENER_2026_JENNIE_CZYZEWSKI_DSC07742-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Features<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">JENNIE and Addison Rae bring an unapologetic pop spectacle to Open\u2019er Festival 2026 day four<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/katseye_coachella_2026-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/katseye_coachella_2026-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">KATSEYE defend Manon\u2019s hiatus and say it wasn\u2019t about race: \u201cThat goes against everything that we stand for\u201d<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/OPENER_2026_JENNIE_CZYZEWSKI_DSC07895-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/OPENER_2026_JENNIE_CZYZEWSKI_DSC07895-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">JENNIE performs unreleased new songs during Open\u2019er Festival 2026 headline set<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_marklee_getty_2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_marklee_getty_2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Former NCT member Mark\u2019s record label apologise for Confederate flag t-shirt<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BTS-Jungkook-Photo-by-The-Chosunilbo-JNS_Imazins-via-Getty-Images-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BTS-Jungkook-Photo-by-The-Chosunilbo-JNS_Imazins-via-Getty-Images-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">BTS fan who rang Jungkook\u2019s doorbell 133 times in two months faces deportation<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NMEAR_NME-HEARTS2HEARTS-THE-COVER-2026-1-CREDIT-WONYOUNG-KI@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NMEAR_NME-HEARTS2HEARTS-THE-COVER-2026-1-CREDIT-WONYOUNG-KI@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Hearts2Hearts are ready for the summer on \u2018Lemon Hour\u2019, an exclusive playlist to accompany The Cover<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>BTS returned to London for the first time in seven years, holding the first of two sold-out shows at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last night (Monday July 6).<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>READ MORE:\u00a0BTS \u2013 \u2018Arirang\u2019 review: Korea\u2019s pop kings make a grand return<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The record-breaking Korean group are currently in the middle of their \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour, in support of their latest album of the same name, and kickstarted the European leg late last month in Madrid and Brussels. Following tonight\u2019s (July 7) final London show, they will move on to Munich and Paris, before continuing the 88-date tour in North America, Latin America, Asia and Australia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The London shows mark BTS\u2019 first in the UK as a group since they made history at Wembley in 2019, and the members referred to those shows during last night\u2019s performance. \u201cI don\u2019t think you guys have changed in that time,\u201d rapper Suga told the crowd at one point. \u201cI\u2019m still feeling the emotions I felt seven or eight years ago in Wembley.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Leader RM added: \u201cIt gives a lot of reminiscence and memories of when we were at Wembley. [Then], I was [wearing] the cap with Sonny [former Tottenham player Son Heung-min] on it and everything was fine, but then there was COVID, there was military, and now we\u2019re here in 2026, together. I\u2019ve missed you so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955418\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955418\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-london-arirang-credit-hybe.jpg\" alt=\"BTS\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour weaves aspects of traditional Korean music, architecture, dance and more into the production. As fans filtered into the venue and awaited BTS\u2019 arrival,\u00a0traditional music called <em>gukak<\/em> played over the PA while videos on the screens showed hanji-inspired designs. Performances of \u2018Arirang\u2019 songs also incorporated traditional Korean culture, from \u2018They Don\u2019t Know \u2018Bout Us\u2019 screens based on masks known as <em>tal<\/em>, and the use of white fabrics to bring inspiration from the <em>seungmu<\/em> dance into the show.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Body To Body\u2019, meanwhile, saw the group and their dancers recreate a traditional circle dance, <em>ganggangsullae<\/em>, as the crew carried LED flags and ribbons inspired by hat-spinning, or <em>sangmo<\/em>. As on record, the track also features a snippet of the traditional folk song \u2018Arirang\u2019, from which the album and tour take their name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>For this tour, BTS are performing on a 360-degree stage, allowing them to get closer to the stadium audience than a typical set-up. In keeping with the rest of the production, the stage also draws on Korean culture, inspired by the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace, and its four runways and central stage representing South Korea\u2019s flag, <em>Taegeukgi<\/em>, and its four <em>Geongongamri<\/em> trigrams.<\/p>\n<p>Videos shown on the big screens during breaks in the show also carried symbolism relating to the <em>Taegeukgi<\/em>, with one using visuals to represent its central yin-yang design, and aspects symbolising heaven, earth, water and fire. A second video, meanwhile, saw intertwining trees (<em>yeonriji<\/em>) growing across the screen, reflecting a meaning of love and connection.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/Dad9QYPoCbU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As BTS brought a taste of their home to the UK, they also mixed in their knowledge of their host country. RM nodded to England\u2019s World Cup victory over Mexico the night before, changing the lyrics to part of \u2018Mic Drop\u2019 to \u201c<em>Haters gonna hate \/ Players gonna play \/ Congrats on the win for the World Cup<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Later, he shared that the group have been something of a good luck charm for the countries they\u2019ve visited during the tournament. \u201cWe always bring luck to every place \u2013 when we were in Belgium, Belgium won,\u201d he said. \u201cNow we\u2019re in London and [England] won.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jungkook nodded to the UK\u2019s reputation for bad weather, saying: \u201cThey say London is famous for the rain, but tonight you guys are bringing all the heat. Show everyone why London is one of the best crowds in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>V later reflected on London as \u201cthe place I like the most\u201d, telling the crowd they \u201calways go above my expectations\u201d, while showing off some of the Britishisms he\u2019s picked up on the trip. \u201cCheers, mate. Y\u2019know?\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s all I know.\u201d Jin, meanwhile, looked back on his last visit to the city as part of his solo tour last year, and shared a story from this visit. \u201cSome of us went to a restaurant yesterday, and it was really nice,\u201d he told the stadium. \u201cI had a waffle with duck on it, and that was really tasty. Do you guys know what that is? You have tasty food here, and I think it\u2019s a good [place].\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Across the \u2018Arirang\u2019 tour, BTS have been mixing up the setlist with a section of surprise songs, airing deep cuts and fan favourites that change up every night. \u201cThat was just the warm-up, right?\u201d J-hope said after \u2018Dynamite\u2019, as the group prepared to launch into the mystery tracks. \u201cWe\u2019ve got something real special for you up next.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanna hear more from ARMY,\u201d Jimin said, referring to their fanbase\u2019s name. \u201cWhat do you wanna sing?\u201d As he patrolled the stage, he shouted out requests from the crowd, including \u201821st Century Girl\u2019, \u2018Pied Piper\u2019 and \u2018Just One Day\u2019. While huge cheers rang around the venue for each of those names, it was \u2018Life Goes On\u2019, taken from the band\u2019s 2020 album \u2018Be\u2019, and \u2018Map Of The Soul: Persona\u2019 track \u2018Dionysus\u2019 that made the cut for the first London setlist.<\/p>\n<p>As the show came to an end with \u2018Into The Sun\u2019, a burst of fireworks decorated the sky, capping a spectacular performance on the stage with a similar extravaganza above.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3955419\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3955419\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3955419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-tottenham-night-one-credit-hybe-bighit-music.jpg\" alt=\"BTS\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3955419\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>BTS played:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>\u2018Hooligan\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Aliens\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Run BTS\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018They Don\u2019t Know \u2018Bout Us\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Like Animals\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Fake Love\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Swim\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Merry Go Round\u2019<br \/>\n\u20182.0\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Normal\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Not Today\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Mic Drop\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018FYA\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Fire\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Body To Body\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Idol\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Come Over\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Butter\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dynamite\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Life Goes On\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Dionysus\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Please\u2019<br \/>\n\u2018Into The Sun\u2019<\/p>\n<p>As well as continuing their world tour, BTS are also set to perform at the first-ever World Cup Final Halftime Show. The last match in this year\u2019s tournament will take place at New Jersey\u2019s MetLife Stadium on July 19, and will feature a star-studded live show, similar to the Super Bowl\u2019s traditional Halftime Show.<\/p>\n<p>The performance has been curated by Coldplay\u2019s Chris Martin, who has collaborated with BTS on their single \u2018My Universe\u2019, and co-wrote Jin\u2019s debut solo single \u2018The Astronaut\u2019. Shakira and Madonna will also appear at the event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/bts-london-tottenham-stadium-report-setlist-photos-footage-3955412&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bts-tottenham-stadium-credit-hybe-bighit-music.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News BTS celebrate England\u2019s World Cup win and bring Korean symbolism to London as they return to UK first time in seven years The group\u2019s \u2018Arirang\u2019 world tour weaves aspects of traditional Korean music, architecture and dance into the production By Rhian Daly 7th July 2026 BTS credit: HYBE\/BIGHIT MUSIC BTS [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2031092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2031092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2031092\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2031092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2031092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2031092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}