BTS, 151,500 Attendees at First Concert in Peru, 'Arirang' Sold Out... Expected Economic Effect of 25.1 Billion KRW

BTS held their first-ever world tour ″ARIRANG″ concert at Estadio San Marcos in Lima, Peru since their debut. According to BigHit Music, the concert, held over three days on the 7th, 9th, and 10th, attracted approximately 151,500 attendees. Originally scheduled for two shows, an additional concert was added due to the enthusiastic response from local fans, and all three shows were sold out. To commemorate the concert, a light show dedicated to BTS was held in downtown Lima, and a street was named ″BTS Street.″ Large crowds gathered day and night near the venue, and local media reported that the area around the stadium was filled with BTS fans. Some fans wore wedding veils and carried bouquets to the concert, expressing their devotion. The Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism projected that over 50,000 people would visit Lima for the BTS concerts, generating an economic impact of approximately 25.1 billion KRW in the tourism sector. The Lima Chamber of Commerce analyzed that economic activities and the fan economy effect could reach up to 200 million soles (about 78 billion KRW) across various sectors including merchandise, hotels, food and beverage, and tourism. After the concerts, BTS members expressed their thoughts, saying, ″Your enthusiasm is truly amazing,″ and ″We wonder why we came to Peru only now.″ Jimin received cheers when he said, ″I will always live remembering that you love us so much from the other side of the world.″ Fans expressed their satisfaction, saying, ″The concert satisfaction score is 10 points, no, a thousand points, infinite.″ BTS will continue their performances in Santiago, Chile on the 14th and 16th-17th, and will proceed with their South American tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and São Paulo, Brazil.