BTS is set to launch their fifth studio album, ‘Arirang,’ on Saturday

After nearly a four-year hiatus to complete their mandatory military service, the seven members of K-pop band BTS are set for a long-awaited comeback, performing live on Netflix at 7 a.m. ET (8 p.m. in South Korea).

Around 22,000 free tickets were given out; however, approximately 260,000 people are expected to descend on Seoul, triggering holiday-level spending for local businesses and a projected $177 million economic boost to the city’s travel and hospitality sector.

BTS’ return to the stage comes at a time when the industry has transformed, driven by algorithms and dominated by short-form video and AI. RM, the group’s leader, admitted that returning to the spotlight has been more complex than anticipated.

The Korean boy band is also kicking off its 82-show world tour, which analysts say could break records set by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.