K-pop stars BTS draw 50,000-strong crowd in Mexico

Around 50,000 fans of K-pop superstars BTS gathered outside Mexico's National Palace on Wednesday to get a look at the group, who waved to the crowd from a balcony after meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum.

BTS will perform shows in Mexico City on May 7, 9, and 10, with more than 135,000 tickets for the stadium showcase getting snapped up in a matter of minutes.

The group returned to the world spotlight in March after an almost four-year pause so its members could carry out their obligatory military service.

V (left), Suga (second right) and Jimin (right) from South Korean K-pop band BTS acknowledge fans next to Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum (second left) from the balcony of the National Palace at Zocalo square in Mexico City on Wednesday.

Kim Nam-joon, one of the members of the group, said to the crowd in Spanish: "I love you, I adore you. Thank you very much!"

"I already told them they have to come back next year," Sheinbaum said, later posting a photo with the group and holding their latest album "ARIRANG."

Lizeth Zarate, a coordinator for the Zocalo -- Mexico City's main square located in front of the presidential palace -- said the Wednesday crowd was around 50,000.

A fan of South Korean K-pop band BTS shows a sign outside the National Palace waiting for the band members to appear on the balcony at Zocalo square in Mexico City on Wednesday.

Fans of South Korean K-pop band BTS gather outside the National Palace.

Handout picture released by Mexico's presidency press office shows fans of South Korea's K-pop band BTS in front of the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on Wednesday. Photos: AFP

"They're my whole world," Estefany Victoriano, a 25-year-old secretary, told the media.
Another onlooker, 18-year-old Zoe Perez, was on the verge of tears.

"I'm speechless, and it's a very beautiful feeling to see them in person. Since I couldn't get tickets, well, it makes me a little emotional," she said.

Agence France-Presse