Big Hit Music released preview images Wednesday for BTS's urban festival "BTS THE CITY ARIRANG - LONDON" (hereafter "The City London").
"The City London" will unfold across London starting Friday. Visitors can encounter BTS's story throughout spaces that symbolize both long history and cutting-edge technology. Ahead of the official opening, preview images of the "London Eye" and the "Thames River" area, the core stages of the project, were released. Landmarks representing the United Kingdom will be draped in red, the signature color of "Arirang."
The "London Eye," a Ferris wheel embodying Britain's modern pride, will transform during the festival into a medium conveying BTS's music and message. The circular structure will blaze in intense red during nighttime peak hours, leaving a spectacular trail across the night sky.
The "Thames River," through which Britain's culture and history flow, will also transform into a stage for "Arirang." A large floating boat about 32 meters long, carrying a sculpture of the "Arirang" logo, will drift atop the rippling waters. The logo, bathed in soft lighting, will harmonize perfectly with the surrounding night scenery, including the golden silhouette of "Big Ben," which holds Britain's long history, completing a magnificent view.
BTS can also be encountered at "Outernet," Europe's premier media hub and counted among Britain's "Top 5" attractions. In 2023, its first year of opening, it recorded the highest number of visitors in London. BTS's new album music video will be broadcast at its core space, the "Now Building." An enormous digital canvas combining a 360-degree screen extending from floor to ceiling and state-of-the-art four-story 16K LED delivers overwhelming immersion.
The Korean Cultural Centre in the UK will operate an "Iconic Looks" exhibition exclusively showcasing the outfits members wore during their 2019 Wembley Stadium performance, as well as a "Connect Lounge" where visitors can experience hanbok, traditional Korean attire. An "8 Stamp Rally," which links the concert venue, the "London Eye," "Outernet," and the F&B festival for mission-based activities, offers an organic experience of the entire city.
Meanwhile, BTS continues its commercial run with its fifth full-length album "Arirang." The new album placed 10th on the main album chart "Billboard 200" (dated July 4), showing its strength by remaining in the "Top 10" for a total of 12 weeks. The title track "SWIM" landed at No. 63 on the main song chart "Hot 100." It is enjoying long-running popularity, entering the main chart for 14 consecutive weeks.
