BTS opens world tour in South Korea after hiatus for military service

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Tens of thousands of BTS fans packed into a South Korean stadium Thursday to see the K-pop supergroup kick off their long-awaited world tour after a nearly four-year hiatus.

RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook were to perform a set drawing from both their catalog and new fifth album, “ARIRANG," their first since band members completed South Korea's mandatory military service.

Despite pouring rain, the band's fans — including some hailing from Russia, the United States and Brazil — packed a stadium with a capacity for over 40,000 for the show, which marks the group’s first headline tour performance since their 2021–22 Permission to Dance on Stage tour.

Over a hundred fans, including some who had failed to get tickets, stood outside the stadium with umbrellas to listen to the band perform.

Kim Eunhee, a South Korean fan who came with her 30-year-old daughter, said the hope of attending a live BTS concert helped her power through her battle with cancer.

“Even during my hardest times last year while fighting it, this was the one thing I kept waiting for,” she said. "Coming to an actual concert venue and seeing them in person for the first time — it was just so meaningful.”

The shows in South Korea through Sunday launch a tour spanning dozens of shows across the United States, Europe and Asia, which analysts say could generate hundreds of million s of dollars in revenue per quarter.

The concert comes less than a month after BTS marked their comeback with a free concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square.

All seven members of BTS completed their mandatory military service, with Suga being the last to be discharged in June 2025. He reportedly served at government-related facilities and organizations instead of military camps due to a shoulder injury.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men between 18 and 28 years old are required by law to perform up to 21 months of military service under a conscription system meant to deter aggression from rival North Korea.

“ARIRANG” — named after a centuries-old Korean folk song regarded as an unofficial anthem across the Korean peninsula — debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The single “Swim” also made it to the top of the charts.

BTS — short for Bangtan Sonyeondan, or “Bulletproof Boy Scouts” in Korean — debuted in June 2013. The seven-member group launched in 2013 with the hip-hop heavy single album “2 Cool 4 Skool,” releasing three full-length projects before gaining momentum with their 2016 album “Wings.”

Their global breakthrough came in 2017 when “DNA” entered the Billboard Hot 100, making BTS the first Korean boy band to achieve such a feat. The song’s success was followed by a performance at the American Music Awards, further fueling their international fan base called “Army.”

The tour is scheduled to bring the group to Australia in early 2027, with a final stop in Manila, Philippines, next March.​

This version corrects that all seven members completed their military service, instead of six of seven members.

Fans of K-pop band BTS react outside of the stadium where K-pop band BTS is performing the World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fans of K-pop band BTS gather outside of the stadium where K-pop band BTS is performing the World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fireworks explode at the stadium where K-pop band BTS is performing for their World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A fan of K-pop band BTS arrives for the BTS World Tour Arirang outside its venue in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fans of K-pop band BTS stand in lines at a fan zone for the BTS World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for the BTS World Tour Arirang outside of the venue in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Fans of K-pop band BTS pose for a photo outside the venue for the BTS World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

K-pop band BTS fans from Philippines take a souvenir photo at the venue for the BTS World Tour Arirang in Goyang, South Korea, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

KYOTO, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 15, 2026--

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 6981) (ISIN: JP3914400001) announces a new collaboration with Synopsys, Inc., enabling users of Synopsys' simulation tools to navigate directly to Murata's website to access and download the latest high-performance simulation models from Murata. The collaboration covers Synopsys' 3D electromagnetic field analysis tool Ansys HFSS™ and thermal analysis tool Ansys Icepak®, and marks a significant step toward streamlining the simulation workflow for electronic circuit designers. Murata is also the first company to offer passive component simulation models via Ansys Icepak*.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260615241645/en/

As demand for high-speed, high-capacity communications continues to grow, electronic circuit design has become increasingly complex. Engineers must now account for a range of physical phenomena, from electromagnetic interference (EMI) to component heat generation, within a single design. Addressing these challenges early in the design process is critical; overlooking them can trigger costly redesigns, extend development timelines, and drive up prototyping expenses. This has placed greater pressure on electronic component suppliers to provide ready-to-use, high-quality simulation models that are compatible with the tools engineers already rely on.

Developing accurate models for electromagnetic and thermal analysis is inherently challenging, as both electromagnetic behavior and temperature distribution shift considerably depending on design conditions. Murata's vertically integrated approach, spanning raw material development and manufacturing through to final product processing, enables the company to draw on an extensive proprietary dataset, resulting in simulation models that closely reflect real-world component performance.

The models are compatible with Ansys 2026 R1. Ansys HFSS supports electromagnetic field analysis and covers Murata's RF inductors and multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), while Ansys Icepak supports thermal analysis and covers Murata's power inductors.

Looking ahead, Murata will continue to deepen its collaboration with Synopsys, expanding its model lineup to support more advanced and efficient electronic design.

The following data is available for download from Murata's website:
Electromagnetic field analysis data for Ansys HFSS — RF inductors
Electromagnetic field analysis data for Ansys HFSS — MLCCs
Thermal analysis data for Ansys Icepak — Power inductors

For product data inquiries, please contact Murata regarding inductor products here, or capacitor products here.

Notes:
*Based on Murata research as of June 15, 2026.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS) is the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, enabling customers to rapidly innovate AI-powered products. We deliver industry-leading silicon design, IP, simulation and analysis solutions, and design services. We partner closely with our customers across a wide range of industries to maximize their R&D capability and productivity, powering innovation today that ignites the ingenuity of tomorrow. Learn more at www.synopsys.com.

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About Murata

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of ceramic-based passive electronic components & solutions, communication modules and power supply modules. Murata is committed to the development of advanced electronic materials and leading edge, multi-functional, high-density modules. The company has employees and manufacturing facilities throughout the world.

[Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.] New collaboration with Synopsys