Thousands of K-pop fans, including those from Norway and the United States, converged on London this July for pop group BTS's first concerts in the capital since 2019. They moved freely across borders, celebrating a shared culture that transcends national lines. This ease of movement for some global citizens stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities faced by countless others seeking safety or opportunity in Europe.
BTS played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 6 and 7 July 2026, transforming the city into a vibrant gathering point for the group's global fan community, known as Army. Fans photographed one another and exchanged handmade bracelets, photocards, and small gifts, a tradition synonymous with this international community. London was the first European city to host "BTS The City Arirang," an official accompanying programme of exhibitions, pop-up stores, restaurant collaborations, and cultural events, named after the group's latest album.
The Illusion of Open Borders
Hybe, the South Korean entertainment company behind BTS, stated the programme aimed to extend the concert experience beyond the stadium. They said: "By partnering with iconic landmarks, local communities, and cultural organisations, 'The City' reimagines cities around the world as iconic cultural stages, connecting the diverse fabric of cities and cultures through BTS' music and stories." This vision of interconnectedness, however, clashes with the reality of Europe's increasingly militarised borders.
Korean cafes, restaurants, and cultural organisations across the capital dedicated weeks to preparing for the influx of BTS fans. At Tokkia, a Korean matcha cafe in Covent Garden, queues began forming before opening time. Owner Sooji Im created a limited-edition Arirang matcha and dessert for the programme, describing the experience as "pretty intense," but "a fun kind of intense."
Im, who has lived in London for nearly 20 years, noted she had never seen Korean culture celebrated on this scale in the capital. "When I first came here, it wasn't like this at all. Nobody really knew what Korea was," she reflected. She added, "It's really nice to see our culture being celebrated in the heart of London... and a lot of the fans are actually responding in Korean. It's just so pleasing to see." This celebration of diverse cultures is precisely what Fortress Europe's policies seek to undermine.
Who Gets to Be a Global Citizen?
Fans themselves described a powerful sense of community around the concerts. Helene Lindgren, who had travelled from Norway, said: "We meet people everywhere. You can start talking to them without knowing them... you feel safe and you connect immediately through the music." Her friend Camilla Gjermundnes, who organises K-pop dance activities in Norway, noted some younger fans now came simply to talk after struggling to find others who shared their interest in K-pop.
Friends Viviana Galindo and Nhan Tu, who had travelled from the US, deliberately turned the concerts into a longer holiday. Having not visited London for more than 20 years, the pair planned to spend the week exploring exhibitions, restaurants, and other events across the city. "We decided to make a whole big trip out of it," Tu said. The two friends had attended previous "BTS The City" programmes and enjoyed having more opportunities to meet other fans outside the stadium. "It's always fun to have other activities to do with other 'Armys'," Tu explained. Tu's reflection on the experience is particularly telling: "It makes me feel more like a global citizen. You realise how many people, from so many different backgrounds, are brought together by the same thing." This sentiment of global citizenship is readily available to those with the right passports and resources, while others are denied entry, detained, or left to drown.
Korean businesses reported a significant boost from the descending BTS fans. At restaurant and pub Hongdae Pocha in Chinatown, director Jaeil Choi said customer numbers had almost doubled during the programme. Choi remarked that watching visitors greet staff in Korean, sing along to Korean lyrics, and exchange handmade gifts with strangers reminded him of "jeong," the Korean idea of warmth and connection between people. He realised people were sharing that feeling in London, finding it "incredibly proud" to see people of every age enjoying Korean culture. This vibrant exchange of culture and connection highlights the potential of open societies, a potential systematically suppressed by Europe's border regime.