By Ashley Cruz
“Love Yourself: Speak Yourself” in Saudi Arabia became a historic moment for culture and diversity as South Korean boy band BTS performed a sold-out concert at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh last Oct. 11.
Despite criticism and divided opinions among fans, BTS successfully delivered electric performances of their top hits including “Boy With Luv,” “IDOL,” “Mic Drop.” They also addressed their 30,000 fans in attendance with heartwarming speeches.
“Wherever you are, we will go anywhere,” SUGA said. “Last night, we did a rehearsal here and there’s that beautiful full moon up in the sky,” RM said. “I just want to say that when we go back to Korea and we see the moon, we’ll be thinking about Saudi ARMYs.”
“ARMY and BTS, we made this!” said V, much to the delight of all fans.
The stadium, known for packed football matches, was filled with fans and locals alike as this was the first sold-out concert by an international artist in the city.
The King Fahad International Stadium welcomes #BTS, the first ever foreign artists to play a solo concert at the venue.
????@RiyadhConnect #BTSinSaudiArabia #BTSinRiyadh @bts_bighit @BTS_twt @BTSW_official @bts_love_myself @BTS_ARMY pic.twitter.com/i8nQHcPzvE— SAPRAC (@SapracOrg) October 11, 2019
أول حفلة لـ bts في الشرق الأوسط اكتملت بالحضور الرهيب وكانت من أجمل الليالي????
وطبعًا الآرمي كانوا قد الحماس وقد الخيال ????????????!#موسم_الرياض pic.twitter.com/gDrBSxYe3N— موسم الرياض | Riyadh Season (@RiyadhSeason) October 12, 2019
This TV prog did a phone interview with a movie producer and writer who attended the concert, and lemme tell u i have TEARS in my eyes becuz of how beautifully he described his night ???? so he went with his wife, daughter and his sister, all from +#BTSinSaudiArabia https://t.co/IehTrhuFvm
— September ⛱️ (@__WildRose2__) October 12, 2019
[Video Trans]
The writer/cinematic directer Abdulrahman Alayeel, on a call with one of the biggest TV-programs in SA after he attended BTS’s concert. He decided to go after he heard that bts is one of the most famous groups in the world. He started talking about how he went + https://t.co/msEvdp3I9c
— BTS Global Muslim (@BTSGlobalMuslim) October 12, 2019
Many fans expressed their admiration for BTS for their high regard of their culture. It was also reported that BigHit staff members and dancers took training sessions to learn about Islamic culture. They also paused their rehearsals during “adhan” (call for prayer), and didn’t bow as they bid goodbye by the end of the concert.
MAD RESPECT MAD RESPECT TO MY BOYS !
If you noticed @BTS_twt did not Bow to the audience as they do usually when they introduce themselves or when they were saying goodbye and do you know why they didn’t do that ? #BTSinSaudiArabia#BTSRiyadh pic.twitter.com/s24qoGqSzz— Daisy .•???? (@CookieJar_twt) October 11, 2019
Among the many highlights of the night was the surprise birthday song for Jimin which the members and fans sang in Arabic. Jimin’s birthday was on Oct. 13.
Jimin didn’t realize they were singing him happy birthday at first but the way his face lit up when he realized it ???? #BTSinSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/m3G00Sn9q9
— ◡̈ Ajsel ???? (@IntrovertSuga) October 11, 2019
The world tour will continue in Seoul, South Korea on Oct. 26, 27 and 29 at the Olympic Stadium to mark the finale. It will also be livestreamed worldwide on the 26th and in select regions on the 27th.