BTS will open pop-up stores to coincide with the release of its new album “Arirang,” the boy band announced on Weverse on Tuesday.

The group will launch the pop-ups in collaboration with the National Museum Foundation of Korea from March 20 — coinciding with the album's release and a day before the band's performance at Gwanghwamun Square — through April 12.


The pop-ups will take place at two locations: Shinsegae Department Store's main branch in Jung District, central Seoul, and HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District, central Seoul.


The merchandise will reinterpret traditional Korean aesthetics with a modern twist and will be displayed and available at the pop-ups. The merchandise was produced in partnership with the National Museum Foundation of Korea's museum goods brand, “MU:DS.”


Presales for some of the merchandise will open on the Weverse Shop on Thursday.

Fans will only be able to visit the two pop-ups in person after making an online reservation via Weverse Spot.

“Arirang” marks BTS's first new album in three and a half years. On March 21, the boy band will hold a special comeback performance at central Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, which is expected to draw some 260,000 fans and spectators.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]