151,000 fans attend three BTS concerts in Lima; drone show held for Jimin's birthday.

Popular South Korean K-pop band BTS performed in Lima, the capital of Peru, for the first time. As part of their ‘Arirang’ tour, the group held three concerts at Lima’s Estadio San Marcos on October 7, 9, and 10. A total of 151,500 fans attended across the three days. Due to overwhelming demand, BTS’s agency, Big Hit Music, added a third show to the two originally planned concerts; tickets for all three shows sold out completely.

Fans sang along with their favorite band during the concerts, filling the stadium with cheers and applause. The members connected with the audience by speaking a few words in Spanish, expressing their love with the phrase "Los amo" (I love you). Moved by the audience's enthusiasm, the band members expressed surprise that they hadn't visited Peru sooner.

Special Fan Tributes for Jimin’s Birthday

BTS member Jimin’s birthday falls on October 13. While the concerts were taking place in Lima, fans organized special tributes for him. Although there was no official birthday celebration during the concert itself, various initiatives were organized across the city.

Fans arranged digital billboards, street banners, and trucks equipped with LED screens to send birthday wishes to Jimin. A drone show was also organized; the lights from the drones illuminated the night sky, displaying Jimin’s name, a birthday image, and the message: "We will always be by your side."

Saturday marked BTS’s final concert in Lima. During the farewell remarks, fans sang a birthday song for Jimin and chanted his name.

Deeply touched by the fans' affection, Jimin said, "I am deeply moved by the way you welcomed us and the love and support you have shown." "I will always cherish the immense love you have sent from the other side of the world."

BTS concert could boost the economy

Activity in Lima’s tourism and business sectors is expected to surge around the BTS concert. Prior to the event, Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism had estimated that over 50,000 visitors might arrive in the capital. It was projected that these visitors could generate approximately $18.7 million in economic activity within the tourism sector.

The Lima Chamber of Commerce offers an even higher estimate. They anticipate that spending across various sectors—including hotels, dining, transportation, tourism, and the sale of merchandise—could generate between 150 million and 200 million Peruvian Soles in economic activity. In US dollars, this amounts to approximately $43.5 million to $58 million.

RM asks fans not to crowd outside the hotel

Before visiting Lima, BTS leader RM had asked fans not to gather outside the hotel. Some fans took issue with his post on Weverse—made on Thursday—because it mentioned Latin America. They argued that intrusions into artists' personal space occur in other parts of the world as well.

RM clarified the matter while speaking with fans on Friday. He explained that his comments were not directed solely at Peru or Latin America.

RM said, "The post I wrote yesterday wasn't just about Latin America or Peru. Such incidents have happened in Europe and the United States, too. In fact, this has been going on for a long time. It can happen in Asia as well."

RM acknowledged that many fans respect the members' personal space. However, he noted that some behaviors cross the line. He cited examples such as flying drones over the members' hotel rooms and shining laser lights at them.

The BTS leader also opposed distinguishing fans based on nationality or continent. RM asked, "Have we ever differentiated people based on nationality or continent?" "As ARMY (the name for BTS fans) and BTS, we are all the same people."

RM believes that the number of fans who behave respectfully far exceeds those who overstep boundaries. He noted that this belief holds true for fans in Peru as well.

After concluding their visit to Lima, BTS's next destination is Santiago, Chile, where the group will hold concerts from October 15 to 17. Following that, they are scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil.

Source: The Korea Herald