BTS attracts massive crowd of over 100,000 devotees to hometown show in Seoul, according to record label

A staggering crowd of over 100,000 fans gathered to witness K-pop sensations BTS's first concert in nearly four years, according to their label, although this number fell short of initial expectations for the highly anticipated event in central Seoul.

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The seven-member group reunited on stage for the first time in years, following a hiatus due to mandatory military service, with some members having been stationed near the North Korea border, and performed against the historic backdrop of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

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Thousands of fans from South Korea and abroad attended the concert, which was held at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday, singing along to the group's songs, earning the venue a fitting atmosphere for the "Kings of K-pop".

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HYBE, the group's label, announced in a statement that approximately 104,000 fans attended the concert, based on ticket sales and data from the country's three major mobile carriers.

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The attendance figure was lower than the initial projection of 260,000, and significantly higher than the police estimate of around 42,000, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

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The concert was livestreamed by Netflix to around 190 countries, allowing fans worldwide to experience the event.

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Fans enthusiastically waved glowsticks and sang along to the group's hits, filming the performance on their phones as giant screens displayed the show across the venue.

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A massive deployment of 15,000 police officers and security personnel was made for the concert, with barricades set up along the roads and nearby venues closed.

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The group's latest album, "ARIRANG", released on Friday, is said to reflect the band's evolving Korean identity and sold nearly four million copies on its first day, according to the label.

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Following Saturday's concert, BTS will embark on their "ARIRANG" world tour, starting on April 9 in Goyang, South Korea, which will span 82 concerts across 34 cities in Asia, North America, Europe, and Latin America.

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Tickets for shows in South Korea, North America, and Europe sold out within hours, highlighting the immense popularity of the group.