K-pop icons BTS performed their first offline concert, Permission to Dance On Stage in Seoul after two years, on March 10, 2022, since the 2019 BTS WORLD TOUR LOVE YOURSELF: SPEAK YOURSELF THE FINAL.
But BTS didn’t leave behind the concept of online concerts completely. HYBE in partnership with Trafalgar Releasing announced, BTS’ Seoul concert will be available for live viewing in cinemas worldwide – BTS Permission To Dance On Stage – Seoul: Live Viewing.
“As the pandemic made it difficult to access the concert venue, we wanted to create an opportunity for fans to gather and watch the concert together. We came up with the idea of ‘LIVE VIEWING’ at cinemas and are delighted to offer an alternative experience for fans to enjoy the concert live,” DJ Kim, President HYBE 360, said in a statement.
The live screening of the concert has beaten movies at the cinemas when it came to box-office records. The screening on average grossed $6.84 million in North America, per screen, across 803 theatres. It ranked at number 3 at the weekend box office right behind, The Batman and Uncharted.
“For a one-day gross to come in at this level, particularly the global number, is mind-boggling and speaks to the power of a one-chance-only event to drive moviegoers to the cinema,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore.
Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing, expressed his contentment, “We are delighted with the record-breaking success of this project, not only for Trafalgar Releasing but the event cinema industry as a whole. It’s a testament to both the overwhelmingly dedicated fandom of the ARMY and the overall return to cinemas on a global scale.”
BTS has previously hit the cinemas, but not for a live event. The group made its big-screen debut with the 2018 musical documentary, Burn The Stage: The Movie, directed by Park Jun-soo. It was available at the theatres in 19 different countries worldwide. The movie was available for a limited time in November, but due to popular demand made its return to the cinemas in selected countries on December 5 and 6 of the same year.
The documentary takes us to the behind-the-scenes of the 2017 BTS Wings Tour and runs us through some big award show moments, off-stage shenanigans, and interviews.
BTS is a seven-membered boy group under HYBE. The group consists of RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. The group made its debut in 2013 with the single album 2 Cool 4 Skool. They are recognized as a self-producing group, as the members co-write and co-produce their songs.
BTS is known for being much more than just musical artists. Many fans have come forward to say that BTS has saved their lives with meaningful music. With their Love Yourself, a four-part album, they unintentionally kick-started a Love Yourself movement among young fans. People could relate to the lyrics written by the members. They could feel the pain, the sorrow, the desperation, and the happiness the group tried to convey with their music.
From inspiring to teaching the youth to love themselves, BTS has come a long way, and it’s no wonder why their one-day live viewing of a concert did such a splendid job at the box office.