Chile’s government has barred BTS from using Santiago’s National Stadium for their concert, triggering street protests from fans.
On the 5th (local time), hundreds of BTS fans held a protest after the decision to cancel the shows that had been planned at Santiago’s National Stadium.
Earlier, the National Sports Institute of Chile (IND) announced it would not approve three BTS concerts slated for October. The agency cited the risk of turf damage from a 360-degree stage setup and the potential impact on upcoming football (soccer) matches and major events.
However, ARMY (the official fandom) fiercely opposed the decision, staging a peaceful march in downtown Santiago while wearing BTS’s signature purple and carrying banners and flags with slogans like "BTS to the National Stadium."
The government said it is reviewing alternative venues and maintains that the concerts have not been canceled. Still, it is reportedly difficult to find a replacement that can accommodate such a large audience.
Meanwhile, BTS is continuing to meet fans worldwide through their ongoing world tour 'Arirang' (ARIRANG).