BTS plays first Peru concerts in Lima as city briefly names 'BTS Avenue'
In short
BTS is to perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Oct 7 and Oct 9–10 on its world tour “ARIRANG”, the group’s first shows in Peru since its 2013 debut, according to agency Big Hit Music. Lima’s Santiago de Surco district has temporarily renamed Sacramento Street “Avenida BTS” from Oct 5 to Oct 11 and lit landmarks in the group’s purple colour. Peru’s official tourism site, Peru Travel, has highlighted the concerts as a chance to promote the country’s food, culture and scenery.
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BTS will perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Oct 7 and Oct 9–10 as part of its world tour “ARIRANG”, the group’s agency Big Hit Music said. It is the first time the group has performed in Peru since its 2013 debut. The agency statement was carried by Yonhap and other Korean outlets. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Lima’s Santiago de Surco district has temporarily designated Sacramento Street as “Avenida BTS” from Oct 5 to Oct 11 and installed signs announcing the name, according to the agency and local reports. The Arco Morisco, a landmark structure in Surco Friendship Park, was lit in the group’s purple colour on Oct 5 and holds daily light shows until Oct 11. At the “Fantasía” fountain in the city’s Fountain Park, events using BTS music, lighting and water screens are scheduled over the same period. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
Peru’s official tourism site, Peru Travel, highlighted the Lima concerts as an opportunity to present the country’s food, culture and natural scenery. Asia Economy reported that the site pointed to the possibility of overseas visitors travelling on to destinations such as Paracas and Machu Picchu as well as Lima. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The Lima dates follow the opening of BTS’s South American leg at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, on Oct 2–3, where the group drew about 100,000 spectators over two days, according to Big Hit Music. Spanish-language outlet Rolling Stone en Español called that concert “the concert an entire generation has waited for” and said BTS met expectations and at moments exceeded them. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
On Oct 6, BTS released “Run BTS 2.0”, filmed in Toronto, on its official YouTube channel and the fan platform Weverse, Yonhap reported. The same day, a fan posed at a BTS pop-up store in Peru, according to a photo caption in Kyunghyang Shinmun. [ 4 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The run is BTS’s first in Peru, and city authorities and the national tourism board have attached events to it, including a temporary street name and purple light shows, which the tourism site says could draw visiting fans onward to places such as Paracas and Machu Picchu. For Korean pop exports, it shows the South America leg of the tour being received with public events in the host city.
Key facts
- BTS is scheduled to perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Oct 7 and Oct 9–10 as part of its world tour “ARIRANG”. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- It is the first time BTS has performed in Peru since its 2013 debut. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Lima’s Santiago de Surco district is temporarily calling Sacramento Street “Avenida BTS” from Oct 5 to Oct 11 and installed signs announcing the name. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Arco Morisco in Surco Friendship Park was lit in the group’s purple colour on Oct 5 and is holding daily BTS-themed light shows until Oct 11. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- BTS-themed events using music, lighting and water screens are being held at the “Fantasía” fountain in Lima’s Fountain Park over the same period. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Peru’s official tourism site, Peru Travel, highlighted the Lima concerts as a chance to present the country’s food, culture and natural scenery. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- BTS opened its South America tour with two shows at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia on Oct 2–3, drawing about 100,000 people over the two days. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Spanish-language outlet Rolling Stone en Español called the Bogotá concert “the concert an entire generation has waited for”, saying BTS met expectations and at moments exceeded them. [ 4 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- BTS will perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima on Oct 7 and Oct 9–10. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Lima shows are BTS’s first in Peru since the group’s 2013 debut. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Sacramento Street in Lima’s Santiago de Surco district is being called “Avenida BTS” from Oct 5 to Oct 11, with signs installed. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The Arco Morisco was lit in purple on Oct 5 and daily BTS-themed light shows run until Oct 11. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- BTS-themed events with music, lighting and water screens are being held at the Fountain Park’s “Fantasía” fountain. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Peru Travel, the country’s official tourism site, highlighted the Lima concerts as an opportunity to promote Peruvian food, culture and nature. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- BTS played two shows in Bogotá on Oct 2–3 that drew about 100,000 spectators. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
Still unclear
- How many tickets have been sold for the Lima concerts, and whether the shows are sold out. None of the documents give ticket sales or attendance figures for the Lima dates; the only attendance figure given is for the Bogotá shows.
- The start times of the Lima concerts and the exact nature of any further events beyond Oct 11. The documents state dates and venues but no concert times, and the city events are described only up to Oct 11.
- Whether the temporary “Avenida BTS” name will be extended or made permanent after Oct 11. The documents describe the naming as one week and temporary, with no indication of what happens afterwards.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Oct 2–3: BTS opens its South America tour with two shows at Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, Colombia, drawing about 100,000 people over the two days. [ 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- Oct 5: Santiago de Surco district begins the week-long temporary naming of Sacramento Street as “Avenida BTS”, and the Arco Morisco is lit in the group’s purple colour. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Oct 6: BTS releases “Run BTS 2.0”, filmed in Toronto, on its official YouTube channel and Weverse, and a BTS pop-up store is open in Peru. [ 4 , 7 ]
- Oct 7: Korean outlets report the Lima concerts and the city’s tributes ahead of the first show; Yonhap cites Big Hit Music for the schedule and city measures. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Oct 7 and Oct 9–10: BTS is scheduled to perform at Estadio San Marcos in Lima. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]