BTS Peru Concert: Fire Trucks Deployed as 150,000 ARMY Gather Despite 28-Degree Heat

BTS's first concert in Peru has become a hot topic locally. As approximately 150,000 spectators visited the venue over three days, fire trucks were even deployed for fans waiting for long periods in the midday heat. A waiting line of over 1 km formed around the venue, and the city of Lima deployed a large number of police and city officials to manage traffic and safety. This scene demonstrated the status of the global K-pop stars while revealing the impact of large-scale performances on the local community and the importance of audience safety.

BTS held their world tour 'ARIRANG' performances at Estadio San Marcos in Lima, Peru, on the 7th, 9th, and 10th (local time). All three performances were sold out, attracting about 151,500 spectators over the three days. As it was the first BTS concert held in Peru, interest from local fans was intense. Since fans gathered around the stadium early to secure good seats, massive crowds formed even before entry.

Among the scenes reported by the local media RPP on the 10th, the sight of firefighters spraying water on fans caught attention. At the time, the maximum temperature in Lima reached 28 degrees Celsius. Fans prepared for the heat by creating temporary shade and purchasing drinks, but cases of dehydration and dizziness occurred during the long process of waiting outdoors for entry. In response, the Peruvian Volunteer Firefighters stepped in to cool down the heat by spraying water with hoses at fans waiting behind steel fences.

The water spray for fans went beyond a simple unique sight, showing how important safety management is for large-scale performances. This is because as the number of fans waiting for long periods with excitement for the upcoming show increases, preparation for heat-related illnesses and crowding accidents is necessary. The city of Lima expressed gratitude to the fire department for cooperating with the event safety plan. It was confirmed that the success of a global performance is not completed solely by the passion of the artists on stage and the audience, but must be supported by the assistance of personnel responsible for safety on-site.

The heat around the venue was unusual from the first day. On the 7th, the waiting line toward the stadium entrance stretched for over 1 km, and some fans even spent the night nearby before the concert to secure desired seats. The local media El Comercio also reported on small merchants selling food and drinks or providing makeup and hairstyling services while fans waited for entry. It was a phenomenon where a single concert went beyond the movement and consumption of fans to change the surrounding commercial districts and street scenes.

Mayor Renzo Reggiardo of Lima also took charge of on-site management to respond to the large crowd. He appeared on the Peruvian broadcaster RPP and stated that about 1,000 police officers and about 1,000 city employees were deployed for each performance for traffic control, cleaning, and safety management. He explained that about 20 tons of trash were collected after the first performance. This highlights how a concert breathes life into the local economy while also entailing administrative burdens such as traffic congestion and environmental maintenance.

Congestion increased further as merchants appeared selling waiting lines for entry. The city of Lima moved the entry time for the final performance forward to 2 PM and installed 25 mobile toilets around the venue in response to fan requests. After the concert ended, about 80 free buses were mobilized to support the movement of the audience. This was a response that considered the entire process from long waiting and entry to returning home after the concert, rather than simply managing the audience inside the venue.

Nevertheless, the fans' passion did not easily cool down. Anali, a 17-year-old fan who came from Huancavelica, Peru to see the performance on the 9th, said, "I came from Huancavelica to see BTS. I love them with all my heart." The stories of fans traveling long distances to the venue show what BTS means locally. Beyond simply enjoying music, the experience of meeting an artist they have waited for a long time in person remains a special memory for the fans.

On the 10th, when the final performance was held, a so-called 'freebie' culture unfolded where fans exchanged handmade keyrings, headbands, and small llama dolls under a bridge near the venue. Belén, a student who added BTS logos to traditional Peruvian clothing and decorations of the traditional southern dance 'Diablada', said, "BTS helped me during the difficult times of the pandemic." A father from Cusco brought 'chullo', a traditional Andean hat, to share with fans, explaining that member Jin is showcasing that fashion. Fans also shared event flyers for Jimin, whose birthday is on the 13th, at the venue. It was a scene where Korean popular music and traditional Peruvian culture met through the spontaneous interaction of fans.

However, enthusiastic hospitality does not always lead to positive results. Concerns were raised that as crowds gathered around the hotel where BTS is staying, it could infringe upon the rest of the members and staff, as well as the peace of other guests. After RM expressed discomfort regarding the situation around the hotel and the issue of rest, the local fandom urged that the members' privacy be respected. The local media RPP also reported on the situation regarding the crowds gathered around the hotel.

Reactions agreeing with RM's message continued on the overseas fan community Reddit. Points were made that not only the members but also general guests staying in the same hotel could suffer discomfort from noise and congestion. There were opinions expressing regret that the situation had not improved sufficiently even though Peruvian fans requested privacy protection. However, a counterargument was raised that one should not assume all people gathered around the hotel are the official fandom, ARMY. This is because at tourist destinations visited by famous artists, general visitors who come out of curiosity can be mixed with fans.

BTS's Peru concert remains an event where a record-breaking audience size, the passion of local fans, and the active response of the local community combined. The fire department's water spraying, the deployment of large-scale safety personnel, and free transportation support showed that the success of a performance is not completed by the passion on stage alone. At the same time, it left the task that fans' self-restraint and consideration are necessary so that love for the artist does not lead to privacy infringement or inconvenience to surrounding citizens. BTS will continue their 'ARIRANG' world tour in Santiago, Chile, on the 14th and the 16th–17th.

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