Netflix and BTS may have lucked out with the weather for their much-hyped, globally streamed reunion concert — the forecast for Saturday night in Seoul is calling for clear skies — but a less predictable misfortune has emerged to test the famed resilience of the K-pop supergroup and the nerves of its vast global fanbase.
BTS’ label BigHit Music revealed on Friday that group leader RM was injured during a rehearsal and will need to restrict his movement during the band’s wildly anticipated comeback concert. The label said RM suffered a serious-sounding ankle injury while practicing with his bandmates on Thursday.
“RM sustained an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment,” the BigHit statement reads. “The results indicated a sprain of the accessory navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament damage and inflammation). Medical staff advised that he should wear a leg cast and focus on recovery while minimizing movement for at least two weeks.”
The label stressed that RM will nonetheless be on stage by his bandmates’ sides on Saturday night, doing his best to carry on with the show.
“Although there will be limitations to his performance, RM will participate on stage to the extent possible and hopes to connect with ARMY and the audience,” the statement continues. “As many have waited a long time for this performance, he will do his utmost to deliver his best.”
The setback has hit BTS on the eve of what will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched live music events of the year — a meticulously planned global spectacle that doubles as the group’s first concert together in nearly four years and a high-stakes test of Netflix’s growing global ambitions in live programming.
Set to stream live worldwide on March 21 (at 8 p.m. Korea time / 7 a.m. Eastern), BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG marks the group’s official return following the completion of their staggered mandatory military service, which paused the team’s activities at the height of their global pop dominance. The performance is set to unfold in Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, framed by the Gyeongbokgung Palace — a highly symbolic setting picked by the bandmates themselves that suggests a renewed emphasis on their Korean identity as they reintroduce themselves to global fans.
For Netflix, the event poses both a test of its technical prowess for live broadcasts and a singular opportunity to leverage its global reach. After years of professing little interest in live TV, the company has rapidly expanded its live broadcast slate — moving from comedy specials to boxing matches and NFL games, and most recently to the free solo climb of Taipei 101 by Alex Honnold.
“I’m not sure what’s more intimidating, climbing a skyscraper or pleasing BTS army — but we’re excited to tackle it,” said Brandon Riegg, Netfix’s head of nonfiction series and sports, at a press briefing in Seoul on Friday.
“We view these live events as an opportunity to reach fans and members around the world in a way that is becoming increasingly tough — to find singular events that really pull people together,” Riegg said, adding: “It was very clear from the start that this opportunity was one we could not pass up. It really doesn’t get any bigger than BTS and what this tour and performance represent.”
The concert will kick off just one day after the release of Arirang, BTS’ fifth studio album and their first group project since before enlistment (take a look at THR‘s track-by-track breakdown here). The record, already drawing strong early reactions across social media, leans heavily into hip-hop and experimental production while foregrounding Korean musical heritage — from its title, a reference to the country’s most iconic folk song, to the traditional song motifs woven throughout the tracklist. The concert setting in Gwanghwamun Square — a national landmark of deep historical and political importance, where no Korean pop concert has previously been held — appears designed to deliberately evoke both the band’s place in Korea’s musical lineage and the scale of their popularity as arguably the country’s most successful cultural export.
Saturday’s performance is expected to serve as the first live look at the new album, giving fans a glimpse of how their post-hiatus era will translate to the stage. It will also function as the launch of a massive global tour, with dates planned in 34 locations for more than 80 shows — testing whether BTS can not only resume but expand their pre-hiatus dominance.
RM’s injury, just two days before the tour’s debut, shakes up what was otherwise a tightly controlled comeback. As if the weight of expectations on the band wasn’t already enough, BTS now has to figure out how to adapt their high-precision choreography when their group leader is wearing an ankle brace.
The full statement from BigHit Music is below.
We would like to inform you regarding RM’s participation in the upcoming performance scheduled for March 21, “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”
During rehearsal on March 19, RM sustained an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment. The results indicated a sprain of the accessory navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament damage and inflammation). Medical staff advised that he should wear a leg cast and focus on recovery while minimizing movement for at least two weeks.
As this comeback stage at Gwanghwamun is highly symbolic, the artist himself expressed a strong desire to deliver a complete and high-quality performance. However, after prioritizing medical advice and to prevent further aggravation of the injury, the company and the artist made the difficult decision to limit RM’s movement during “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”
Accordingly, RM’s participation in certain performances, including choreography on stage, will be restricted.
We sincerely ask for your understanding from fans and audience members who have been looking forward to this stage.
Although there will be limitations to his performance, RM will participate on stage to the extent possible and hopes to connect with ARMY and the audience. As many have waited a long time for this performance, he will do his utmost to deliver his best.
The company will continue to prioritize the artist’s health and safety and will fully support RM so that he can recover completely and return to activities in full form.
The other BTS members are also working hard to prepare for the performance, and we ask for your continued support and interest.
Thank you.
