BTS recently returned to American television with two special appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 25 and 26. This marked their first late night appearance in the United States after releasing their fifth studio album ARIRANG. The performances were filmed at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, giving a unique setting for the show.
Instead of a regular stage, the group performed across the museum’s spiral ramps. This created a different viewing experience for the audience. Over the two nights, BTS performed their songs SWIM and 2.0 in front of a smaller audience made up of their fans, known as ARMY.
The performance of “SWIM” began with the members walking down the curved ramps of the museum before coming together at the centre. The setup was designed to feel close and personal, with the audience sitting nearby. The lighting created a water like effect on the walls, matching the theme of the song, which focuses on moving forward through life.
For “2.0,” the audience was placed along different levels of the ramps, which gave a layered look to the performance. The use of strong lighting created shadows and silhouettes, adding to the theme of change and growth shown in the song.
BTS also sat down for a conversation with Jimmy Fallon during the show. They spoke about coming back together as a full group and shared their thoughts on their time apart. During the discussion, Jin said, “I felt like I had reunited with family,” while talking about the reunion. Jimmy Fallon described their return as “the new era of BTS.”
The group kept the mood light and friendly. They entered wearing slippers and even gifted a pair to Jimmy Fallon, explaining a Korean custom of wearing indoor footwear. This moment also connected to a line from one of their songs. They also answered questions from fans and described ARMY in one word as “Love.”
The discussion also included their upcoming BTS WORLD TOUR ARIRANG. The group even invited Jimmy Fallon to attend one of their shows in East Rutherford.
At the same time, HYBE has announced a new initiative called HYBE India Audition. This program aims to find and support young talent who want to perform on a global stage.
Overall, BTS’s return combined music, conversation, and fan interaction, marking an important moment as they begin a new phase in their career.