Thousands of screaming fans flooded Mexico City’s famous Zocalo Square on Wednesday as South Korean K-pop sensation BTS made a highly celebrated appearance at the National Palace following a meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
An estimated 50,000 supporters gathered outside the presidential residence to catch a glimpse of the global music stars, who later stepped onto a balcony to wave at the cheering crowd.
The atmosphere around the historic square turned electric as fans sang, screamed and waved banners while the group greeted supporters from above.
BTS is currently in Mexico for a series of concerts scheduled for May 7, 9 and 10 in Mexico City. Organisers said more than 135,000 tickets for the performances sold out within minutes, underlining the group’s huge popularity across Latin America.
The internationally acclaimed group returned to full public activities in March after taking an almost four-year break to complete South Korea’s mandatory military service requirements.
During the balcony appearance, member Kim Nam-joon addressed fans in Spanish, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
“I love you, I adore you. Thank you very much!” he said.
President Sheinbaum also expressed excitement over the visit and hinted at hopes of seeing the music stars return to the country soon.
“I already told them they have to come back next year,” she said while later sharing a photograph with the group and holding their latest album titled “ARIRANG.”
Officials overseeing activities at the Zocalo confirmed the huge turnout witnessed during the visit.
Lizeth Zarate, a coordinator for the square located directly in front of the presidential palace, estimated the gathering at around 50,000 people.
For many fans, the appearance was an emotional experience after years of following the group from afar.
“They’re my whole world,” said 25-year-old secretary Estefany Victoriano during an interview with AFP.
Another supporter, 18-year-old Zoe Perez, struggled to contain her emotions as she described finally seeing the stars in person.
“I’m speechless, and it’s a very beautiful feeling to see them in person. Since I couldn’t get tickets, it makes me a little emotional,” she said.
BTS remains one of the most influential music groups globally, with millions of followers spread across different continents.
Their comeback after military service has continued to attract worldwide attention, with fans eagerly welcoming the group back to the international stage.
