According to a report by The Korea Herald, all tickets for the South American concerts were sold out ahead of the performances, reflecting the strong demand for BTS across the region.
The group concluded its South American leg with three concerts at Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, on 28, 30 and 31 October. The tour had begun in Bogotá, Colombia, on 2 October, before moving through Lima in Peru, Santiago in Chile and Buenos Aires in Argentina, culminating in the Brazilian performances.
The setlist featured songs from BTS’s fifth album, ‘Arirang’, alongside several of the group’s best-known hits. Fans were treated to performances of ‘Fake Love’, ‘Not Today’, ‘Mic Drop’, ‘Fire’, ‘Idol’, ‘Butter’ and ‘Dynamite’. The combination of newer material and familiar favourites helped create an energetic atmosphere throughout the tour.
The performances also reflected an effort to embrace local culture. During the Brazilian concerts, the members appeared on stage wearing Brazil football shirts. Jin and RM were also seen wearing traditional feathered headdresses associated with the country’s Indigenous communities, adding a distinctive local touch to the performances.
At the final concert in São Paulo, J-Hope expressed his gratitude to South American fans for their enthusiastic support.
He said South America had been one of the destinations the group had most eagerly anticipated visiting. As opportunities to meet fans in the region had been relatively limited, the members had arrived with considerable excitement and high expectations. However, the warmth and affection they received exceeded everything they had imagined.
The group has also expressed its intention to return to the region. Speaking during a live broadcast on Weverse on Saturday, Jimin thanked fans for waiting so long to see them perform.
He said the members had thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would remember the South American experience for a long time. Jimin added that it continued to amaze him that so many people in a distant part of the world cared about and supported the group. The members would carry those memories with them as they prepared for another visit.
A landmark tour for BTS
The South American leg held particular significance for BTS for several reasons. The concerts in Colombia and Argentina marked the group’s first full-scale performances in those countries. Peru also welcomed the group for the first time since its debut.
The return to Chile came after a nine-year gap, while the Brazilian concerts marked the group’s first performances in the country in seven years.
BTS’s arrival was celebrated beyond the concert venues. Bogotá and Buenos Aires recognised the group by declaring its members honorary guests in acknowledgement of their cultural influence. In Santiago, a street was temporarily renamed ‘Avenida BTS’ in tribute to the group.
Several prominent landmarks across the cities were also illuminated in purple, the colour closely associated with BTS and its fan community, known as ARMY.
These gestures highlighted how the group’s influence extends beyond music. Its international fanbase has helped establish a cultural connection between South Korea and audiences across different regions, with concerts often becoming major public events in their host cities.
Concerts generate economic benefits
The tour also brought considerable benefits to local businesses, particularly in tourism, accommodation, food services and transport.
A local survey found that 96 per cent of concertgoers visiting La Plata, a city near Buenos Aires, came from outside the area. More than 130,000 visitors were making their first trip to La Plata, while over 48,000 stayed in the city for at least one night.
Excluding ticket purchases, visitors spent an estimated 53 billion Argentine pesos on accommodation, food, transport and entertainment. This was equivalent to approximately US$34.5 million.
The figures illustrate the wider economic influence of major international music events. Concertgoers travelling from other cities and countries often spend money on hotels, restaurants, local transport and leisure activities, creating additional business for destinations hosting such performances.
Demand for flights and accommodation also increased across the region during the tour.
In Bogotá, flight bookings rose by 46.6 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier. In Lima, demand for ride-hailing services on the day of BTS’s first concert increased to 15 times the normal level. Following the performance, it climbed even further, reaching 48 times the usual demand.
Santiago also experienced a substantial increase in accommodation searches, which rose by approximately 200 per cent compared with the previous year.
The figures demonstrate how the arrival of a globally recognised music act can influence travel patterns and create economic opportunities well beyond the immediate concert venues.
Asia and Australia next on the tour schedule
Following the successful South American leg, BTS is preparing to continue its ‘Arirang’ world tour across Asia and Australia.
The next stage is scheduled to begin in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on 19 November. The group is then expected to perform in Bangkok, Thailand; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Singapore; and Jakarta, Indonesia, with the Asian leg scheduled to continue until 29 December.
The tour will subsequently move to Australia, where BTS is expected to perform in Melbourne and Sydney in February next year.
The turnout of 853,000 fans across 14 South American concerts marks a significant milestone in the group’s international touring journey. From sold-out stadiums and public tributes to increased tourism spending, the tour demonstrated the scale of BTS’s cultural and commercial influence.
As the group prepares for its upcoming performances in Asia and Australia, the overwhelming response in South America has provided another indication of the enduring enthusiasm surrounding one of the world’s most prominent K-pop acts.
