Netflix and BTS might have lucked out with the climate for their much-hyped, globally streamed reunion live performance — the forecast for Saturday night time in Seoul is looking for clear skies — however a much less predictable misfortune has emerged to check the famed resilience of the Ok-pop supergroup and the nerves of its huge world fanbase.
BTS’ label BigHit Music revealed on Friday that group chief RM was injured throughout a rehearsal and might want to prohibit his motion through the band’s wildly anticipated comeback live performance. The label mentioned RM suffered a serious-sounding ankle harm whereas working towards along with his bandmates on Thursday.
“RM sustained an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment,” the BigHit assertion reads. “The results indicated a sprain of the accessory navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament damage and inflammation). Medical staff advised that he should wear a leg cast and focus on recovery while minimizing movement for at least two weeks.”
The label pressured that RM will nonetheless be on stage by his bandmates’ sides on Saturday night time, doing his greatest to hold on with the present.
“Although there will be limitations to his performance, RM will participate on stage to the extent possible and hopes to connect with ARMY and the audience,” the assertion continues. “As many have waited a long time for this performance, he will do his utmost to deliver his best.”
The setback has hit BTS on the eve of what’s going to undoubtedly be some of the intently watched reside music occasions of the 12 months — a meticulously deliberate world spectacle that doubles because the group’s first live performance collectively in practically 4 years and a high-stakes check of Netflix’s rising world ambitions in reside programming.
Set to stream reside worldwide on March 21 (at 8 p.m. Korea time / 7 a.m. Eastern), BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG marks the group’s official return following the completion of their staggered obligatory army service, which paused the group’s actions on the peak of their world pop dominance. The efficiency is about to unfold in Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, framed by the Gyeongbokgung Palace — a extremely symbolic setting picked by the bandmates themselves that implies a renewed emphasis on their Korean identification as they reintroduce themselves to world followers.
For Netflix, the occasion poses each a check of its technical prowess for reside broadcasts and a singular alternative to leverage its world attain. After years of professing little curiosity in reside TV, the corporate has quickly expanded its reside broadcast slate — shifting from comedy specials to boxing matches and NFL video games, and most not too long ago to the free solo climb of Taipei 101 by Alex Honnold.
“I’m not sure what’s more intimidating, climbing a skyscraper or pleasing BTS army — but we’re excited to tackle it,” mentioned Brandon Riegg, Netfix’s head of nonfiction sequence and sports activities, at a press briefing in Seoul on Friday.
“We view these live events as an opportunity to reach fans and members around the world in a way that is becoming increasingly tough — to find singular events that really pull people together,” Riegg mentioned, including: “It was very clear from the start that this opportunity was one we could not pass up. It really doesn’t get any bigger than BTS and what this tour and performance represent.”
The live performance will kick off simply someday after the discharge of Arirang, BTS’ fifth studio album and their first group venture since earlier than enlistment (check out THR‘s track-by-track breakdown here). The record, already drawing strong early reactions across social media, leans heavily into hip-hop and experimental production while foregrounding Korean musical heritage — from its title, a reference to the country’s most iconic folks music, to the normal music motifs woven all through the tracklist. The live performance setting in Gwanghwamun Square — a nationwide landmark of deep historic and political significance, the place no Korean pop live performance has beforehand been held — seems designed to intentionally evoke each the band’s place in Korea’s musical lineage and the size of their recognition as arguably the nation’s most profitable cultural export.
Saturday’s efficiency is anticipated to function the primary reside take a look at the brand new album, giving followers a glimpse of how their post-hiatus period will translate to the stage. It may also perform because the launch of a large world tour, with dates deliberate in 34 places for greater than 80 exhibits — testing whether or not BTS cannot solely resume however increase their pre-hiatus dominance.
RM’s harm, simply two days earlier than the tour’s debut, shakes up what was in any other case a tightly managed comeback. As if the load of expectations on the band wasn’t already sufficient, BTS now has to determine learn how to adapt their high-precision choreography when their group chief is carrying an ankle brace.
The full assertion from BigHit Music is beneath.
We wish to inform you relating to RM’s participation in the upcoming efficiency scheduled for March 21, “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”
During rehearsal on March 19, RM sustained an ankle harm and was taken to the hospital for an intensive examination and therapy. The outcomes indicated a sprain of the accent navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament harm and irritation). Medical workers suggested that he ought to put on a leg forged and concentrate on restoration whereas minimizing motion for no less than two weeks.
As this comeback stage at Gwanghwamun is very symbolic, the artist himself expressed a powerful want to ship an entire and high-quality efficiency. However, after prioritizing medical recommendation and to stop additional aggravation of the harm, the corporate and the artist made the troublesome resolution to restrict RM’s motion throughout “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”
Accordingly, RM’s participation in sure performances, together with choreography on stage, might be restricted.
We sincerely ask for your understanding from followers and viewers members who’ve been trying ahead to this stage.
Although there might be limitations to his efficiency, RM will take part on stage to the extent attainable and hopes to attach with ARMY and the viewers. As many have waited a very long time for this efficiency, he’ll do his utmost to ship his greatest.
The firm will proceed to prioritize the artist’s well being and security and can totally help RM in order that he can get well utterly and return to actions in full kind.
The different BTS members are additionally working laborious to arrange for the efficiency, and we ask for your continued help and curiosity.
Thank you.
