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PHOTOS ARMY arrives: Fans explore Seoul before BTS takes stage

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Workers install a stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Workers install a stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Forklifts are lined up as an outdoor stage is being set up at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, ahead of BTS' comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Forklifts are lined up as an outdoor stage is being set up at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, ahead of BTS' comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Access is restricted as stage construction is underway at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Access is restricted as stage construction is underway at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 16, five days before BTS’ comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

BTS fans pose in front of a staircase emblazoned with the name of the K-pop band at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

BTS fans pose in front of a staircase emblazoned with the name of the K-pop band at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

An elderly couple passes by the stage for the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

An elderly couple passes by the stage for the upcoming BTS comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Fans pose in front of the BTS comeback concert stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's show. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Fans pose in front of the BTS comeback concert stage at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 17, four days before the group's show. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ella Holbrook, left, and Zoe Holbrook, from Dallas, pose in front of HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Ella Holbrook, left, and Zoe Holbrook, from Dallas, pose in front of HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Amaira Carrillo, 7, from the Philippines, poses in front of a bus covered with images of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Amaira Carrillo, 7, from the Philippines, poses in front of a bus covered with images of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A woman passes by a restaurant decorated with photos of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A woman passes by a restaurant decorated with photos of BTS members near HYBE Corp. headquarters in Yongsan District, Seoul, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

A woman passes by a banner promoting BTS' comeback concert in Namdaemun, Seoul, March 18. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A woman passes by a banner promoting BTS' comeback concert in Namdaemun, Seoul, March 18. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Digital billboards in Myeong-dong display welcome messages for BTS fandom ARMY, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Digital billboards in Myeong-dong display welcome messages for BTS fandom ARMY, March 18, three days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

From left, Fer Vega, Susy Mouriz and Nataly Pop, Mexican content creators and BTS fans, film social media content in Myeong-dong, Seoul, March 19, two days before the BTS comeback concert.  Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

From left, Fer Vega, Susy Mouriz and Nataly Pop, Mexican content creators and BTS fans, film social media content in Myeong-dong, Seoul, March 19, two days before the BTS comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Fans pose in front of a building covered with a photo of BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 19, two days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Fans pose in front of a building covered with a photo of BTS at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 19, two days before the group's comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

BTS fans gather near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 18, as Koo Yu-ri, right, distributes her daughter’s collection of BTS merchandise for free to members of the BTS fan club ARMY ahead of the group’s upcoming comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

BTS fans gather near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, March 18, as Koo Yu-ri, right, distributes her daughter’s collection of BTS merchandise for free to members of the BTS fan club ARMY ahead of the group’s upcoming comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

 Fans of BTS line up at a pop-up store set up at Shinsegae department store in downtown Seoul, Friday, a day before their slated comeback concert scheduled Saturday. Korea TImes photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Fans of BTS line up at a pop-up store set up at Shinsegae department store in downtown Seoul, Friday, a day before their slated comeback concert scheduled Saturday. Korea TImes photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A media facade lights up Sungnyemun Gate, Friday, one day ahead of BTS’ highly anticipated comeback concert. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul