Chris Barrow

This is a rare honor.

The last time Seoul opened one of its public square for a K-pop act, it was 14 years ago when Psy's Gangnam Style became the worldwide phenomenon.

And since then, BTS has become something bigger than just a seven men in a band.

They have reached the top of the Billboard chart, spoke at the UN and the White House, and they've really become the face of South Korea's soft power success.

Their music had not only sold albums but the idea of Korea itself.

Yimer had moved to Korea from Ireland after she became a fan during the pandemic.

It's a turn of fortune most Koreans couldn't have imagined even 10 years ago.

Though South Korea became an economic powerhouse, its people had always imagined their culture somewhat lacking.

If there were any doubts in the minds of Korean people that their art or culture is lesser than that of the West, today it's certainly gone.

The band will follow it up with a world tour starting next month.

It is expected to rake in around a billion dollars in revenue.

But as we've seen today, the band's contribution to South Korea goes far beyond money.

And that was Jake Kwon.

That's all from us for now.

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This edition of The Global News Podcast was mixed by Stephen Bailey and produced by Paul Day and Wendy Urquhart.