K-POP KINGS BTS STUN SEOUL IN '2.0' COMEBACK CONCERT

South Korean megastars BTS performed their first show in nearly four years on Saturday in front of enormous crowds in Seoul for a K-pop extravaganza livestreamed to millions more worldwide.

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Widely lauded as the biggest boy band in the world, BTS went on hiatus in 2022 so the seven members could serve compulsory military service, some near the heavily fortified border with North Korea.

The comeback concert had as its backdrop the historic Gyeongbokgung royal palace -- fitting for the “Kings of K-pop” -- with thousands of fans from South Korea and abroad singing along.

“It’s been a long journey but now we are finally here!” said BTS’s leader RM -- whose injured ankle meant he had to perch on a stool at times -- as the group performed songs from their new album, as well as old hits “Dynamite” and “Mikrokosmos.”

“We are finally here and seeing you again...all seven of us standing on the stage together makes me so happy,” said fellow member Jimin to cheers. “BTS 2.0 is just getting started,” said J-Hope.

Fans -- 260,000 were predicted earlier -- descended on Seoul from morning onwards in colorful costumes, taking selfies with their tickets and clutching BTS “ARMY” glowsticks. Before they came on stage the crowd chanted “BTS! BTS!” with the main boulevard leading up to Gwanghwamun Square ram-packed with people as far as the eye could see.

Gwanghwamun Gate was lit in rainbow colors before the show started, as a massive stage installation featuring three circular features -- symbolizing BTS’s new album “Arirang” -- glowed beneath towering lighting rigs.