Group BTS has kicked off their North American tour in Tampa, Florida, with member RM’s closing remarks drawing significant attention.
On the 25th (local time), BTS began the North American leg of their world tour, 'ARIRANG,' at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This marks the group's first solo concert in the United States in approximately 4 years, following their Las Vegas performances in 2022.
During the final moments of the show, RM shared his thoughts in English, communicating sincerely with fans. He reflected on the meaning of the performance, stating, "Many things happen, but I realized again that these 2 hours are the reason I have lived until now," and added, "Tampa changed my tempo."
This North American tour will span 31 shows across 12 cities, including Mexico City, Las Vegas, and Chicago, proving their global popularity by selling out every date. Local broadcasters have also shown high interest. FOX TV Tampa Bay scheduled a special program regarding the event, and local media outlets projected that the concert would generate an economic impact of approximately 800 to 900 million dollars (approximately 1.2 trillion KRW).
However, prior to the concert, controversy arose following reports regarding allegations of RM smoking while staying in Japan. The Japanese weekly magazine Shūkan Bunshun released photos along with allegations that RM smoked in a non-smoking area in Shibuya, Tokyo. In relation to this, some have raised criticisms that the method of reporting constitutes an excessive invasion of privacy. The agency, Big Hit Music, has not released an official statement regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, BTS plans to continue their North American tour, starting with the Tampa performance, and ramp up their global activities.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)
댓글