BTS’ Chicago Return Comes With a New Album, Old Questions and a Divided ARMY
- Theodora Gatsacos
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Theodora Gatsacos
Writer
August 31, 2026
“Chicago! Round two!” shouted BTS member Jung Kook after global sensation pop group BTS took to Chicago’s Soldier Field for the second night of their sold-out Midwest run of Arirang World Tour. The Korean septet, consisting of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook, has been making headlines for their decision not to submit their newest album, Arirang, for the 2027 Grammys and their partnership with Google’s Generative AI, Gemini. Members RM and J-Hope have also faced scrutiny for attending the Usher/Chris Brown tour, with some fans hoping for a response through trending hashtags such as #WomanBeforeARMY and #ARMYsAgainstViolence.
With no response from the group to their recent controversies, BTS continues the second part of the United States leg of their tour. Walking into Soldier Field, the screens show silhouettes of the members, with various swirling ink scattered through the screens. Each member’s screen had writing in Hangul explaining the context behind the traditional Korean song Arirang, with one particular screen reading:
“Within it, not just one, but countless emotions coexist. Long and return, stillness and strength, the story of people who have carried memory forward through melody. This song travels, changes, and ensures. It is a song of love, a song of parting, a home that moves. This song is not simply sung; it is lived together, shared, and born anew.”
The 360-degree stage, shaped like the South Korean flag with four catwalks, is a unique feature of this concert that could have been utilized further. The members spent most of the concert in the center of the stage, using the rotating circles like some Broadway productions do.
The concert’s intro features the band walking out onto the stage to a beautiful alternate version of the beginning of Hooligan, which is a sample of Michel Magne’s Yang Tse-Kiang, bringing a modern-yet-nostalgic feel to the concert that makes ARMY (the fandom name for BTS fans) feel right at home. Leading BTS is an individual carrying a smoke grenade, reminiscent of the Hooligan music video.
Hooligan was one of the few songs that showcased BTS’ choreography. Though the group is known for their moves, this concert kept the dancing to a minimum. HYBE Chairman Bang Si-Hyuk, who created BTS, stated in an interview with Billboard: “You [BTS Members] already possess the kind of aura that can command a stage just by existing. For artists like you, standing still can be more than enough,” though many fans disagree. BTS, a group celebrated for their powerful and unique choreography, should showcase such to their fans.
The stage screen’s visuals added an aesthetic touch to the tour. With each side wide enough to capture all seven members, there were beautiful filters strategically placed to enhance the concert experience. Some songs put the members in a black-and-white filter, which matched the vibe of the song.
Following hits Hooligan and Aliens was they don’t know bout us, a song where BTS, despite their accomplishments, humanizes themselves and reminds fans that they’re “just seven people” (a lyric from the song). The track seemingly responds to how BTS is looked at by the media, who treat BTS as heroic beings who can do no wrong. Throughout the song, the backup dancers cover their faces with tablets and follow the members around as they sing their parts. The tablets showed different images that matched the stage screen, such as eyes and masks. The imagery was reminiscent of photos from BTS’ 2019 album Love Yourself: Answer Version S, where the members were photographed surrounded by wandering eyes, hands grabbing them, and stage lights. Though the imagery and its meaning weren’t lost on fans, the tablets felt inexpensive and were hard to see at times.
After eight songs, the band took a break while the backup dancers, accompanied by on-screen visuals and a light show, performed a dance. In groups of blue and red, they come together to create the Korean flag, matching the shape of the stage and paying homage to BTS’ Korean roots.
The backup dancers were a massive highlight of the concert. It was clear every dancer gave it their all onstage and knew how to get the crowd going. The dancers were given the opportunity to let loose. During the song IDOL, BTS members walk around the arena followed by the backup dancers, who carry flags and dance. During the FYA/Fire remix, dancers were also able to showcase their skills, with some holding flamethrowers. Close-up, some dancers were seen hitting popular moves such as the scuba, which hyped up fans.
Toward the end of the concert, BTS performs two “surprise songs” that are unknown to even the members until the track starts. Before each surprise song, Leader RM yells, “DJ! Spin that sh*t,” cueing the song. Since the beginning of the tour, fans have brought various signs requesting their favorite deep cuts. Chicago night one got 2014 hits Hip Hop Phile and Tomorrow, and night two received 134340, a bop about dwarf planet Pluto, and Mikrokosmos, a Greek term for “little cosmos,” which focuses on the love they have for their fans. 134340, a widely-beloved B-side, was thought to be blacklisted due to the involvement of composer Bobby Jung, who was convicted of sexual assault and illegal filming, but after 7 years it's back.
BTS’ ending comments were especially meaningful, as the members have showcased their love for the Windy City throughout their 13 years as a group. The members got very emotional, with member J-Hope reflecting on his growth through his solo Chicago performances at Lollapalooza 2022 and Hope on the Stage tour:
“I know I wouldn’t be the J-Hope I am today without you guys. So, thank you… Thank you so much! I keep working hard and stretching every moment. Love you, Chicago!”
This tour featured the newest edition of BTS’ lightstick, known as the “ARMY Bomb.” In the stadium, fans can connect their lightsticks and watch them flash with each song. A noticeable difference in the ARMY Bomb’s fifth version is that it’s a lot dimmer than previous editions, with ARMY Bomb SE and ARMY Bomb Version 3 creating a brighter, more vibrant ocean in concerts past. This tour has also notably lacked a live band, unlike previous tours and solo ventures. A live band would have given a more personal touch to the concert, and instead, the members were accompanied by a DJ playing the tracks in a tent on the floor.
The concert ended with another love song to their fans, Into the Sun. The vocoder on the studio track is not featured on the live version, which makes the song more personal and showcases the members’ beautiful live vocals. Member Jung Kook changes his line, “Nobody knows me honey,” and replaces “honey” with the city BTS is in, in this case, “Nobody knows me Chicago.” As BTS exited the stage to a crazy fireworks show, ARMYs left the concert with happy hearts and full spirits.
Edited by: Stephanie Rodriguez
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