BTS’ RM Suffers Ankle Injury in Rehearsal for Netflix Comeback Concert

Netflix and bts might have lucked out with the climate for their much-hyped, globally streamed reunion live performance — the forecast for Saturday evening in Seoul is looking for clear skies — however a much less predictable misfortune has emerged to check the famed resilience of the Ok-pop supergroup and the nerves of its huge world fanbase.

BTS’ label BigHit Music revealed on Friday that group chief RM was injured throughout a rehearsal and might want to limit his motion throughout the band’s wildly anticipated comeback live performance. The label mentioned RM suffered a serious-sounding ankle harm whereas practising together with his bandmates on Thursday.

“RM sustained an ankle injury and was taken to the hospital for a thorough examination and treatment,” the BigHit assertion reads. “The results indicated a sprain of the accessory navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament damage and inflammation). Medical staff advised that he should wear a leg cast and focus on recovery while minimizing movement for at least two weeks.”

The label careworn that RM will nonetheless be on stage by his bandmates’ sides on Saturday evening, doing his greatest to hold on with the present.

“Although there will be limitations to his performance, RM will participate on stage to the extent possible and hopes to connect with ARMY and the audience,” the assertion continues. “As many have waited a long time for this performance, he will do his utmost to deliver his best.”

The setback has hit BTS on the eve of what’s going to undoubtedly be some of the carefully watched reside music occasions of the yr — meticulously a deliberate world spectacle that doubles because the group’s first live performance collectively in practically 4 years and a high-stakes check of Netflix’s rising world ambitions in reside programming.

Set to stream reside worldwide on March 21 (at 8 pm Korea time / 7 am Eastern), BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG marks the group’s official return following the completion of their staggered obligatory navy service, which paused the crew’s actions on the peak of their world pop dominance. The efficiency is about to unfold in Seoul’s historic Gwanghwamun Square, framed by the Gyeongbokgung Palace — a extremely symbolic setting picked up by the bandmates themselves that means a renewed emphasis on their Korean id as they reintroduce themselves to world followers.

For Netflix, the occasion poses each a check of its technical prowess for reside broadcasts and a singular alternative to leverage its world attain. After years of professing little curiosity in reside TV, the corporate has quickly expanded its reside broadcast slate — shifting from comedy specials to boxing matches and NFL video games, and most lately to the free solo climb of Taipei 101 by Alex Honnold.

“I’m not sure what’s more intimidating, climbing a skyscraper or pleasing BTS army — but we’re excited to tackle it,” mentioned Brandon Riegg, Netfix’s head of nonfiction collection and sports activities, at a press briefing in Seoul on Friday.

“We view these live events as an opportunity to reach fans and members around the world in a way that is becoming increasingly tough — to find singular events that really pull people together,” Riegg mentioned, including: “It was very clear from the start that this opportunity was one we could not pass up. It really doesn’t get any bigger than BTS and what this tour and performance represents.”

The live performance will kick off simply in the future after the discharge of ArirangBTS’ fifth studio album and their first group undertaking since earlier than enlistment (check out THR‘s track-by-track breakdown here). The file, already drawing sturdy early reactions throughout social media, leans closely into hip-hop and experimental manufacturing whereas foregrounding Korean musical heritage — from its title, a reference to the nation’s most iconic folks tune, to the normal tune motifs woven all through the tracklist. The live performance setting in Gwanghwamun Square — a nationwide landmark of deep historic and political significance, the place no Korean pop live performance has beforehand been held — seems designed to intentionally evoke each the band’s place in Korea’s musical lineage and the dimensions of their reputation as arguably the nation’s most profitable cultural export.

Saturday’s efficiency is predicted to function the primary reside take a look at the brand new album, giving followers a glimpse of how their post-hiatus period will translate to the stage. It can even operate because the launch of a large world tour, with dates deliberate in 34 places for greater than 80 exhibits — testing whether or not BTS can’t solely resume however broaden their pre-hiatus dominance.

RM’s harm, simply two days earlier than the tour’s debut, shakes up what was in any other case a tightly managed comeback. As if the burden of expectations on the band wasn’t already sufficient, BTS now has to determine easy methods to adapt their high-precision choreography when their group chief is sporting an ankle brace.

The full assertion from BigHit Music is beneath.

We want to inform you relating to RM’s participation in the upcoming efficiency scheduled for March 21, “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”

During rehearsal on March 19, RM sustained an ankle harm and was taken to the hospital for a radical examination and therapy. The outcomes indicated a sprain of the accent navicular bone, partial ligament tear, and a contusion of the talus (ligament harm and irritation). Medical workers suggested that he ought to put on a leg solid and concentrate on restoration whereas minimizing motion for a minimum of two weeks.

As this comeback stage at Gwanghwamun is extremely symbolic, the artist himself expressed a powerful need to ship an entire and high-quality efficiency. However, after prioritizing medical recommendation and to stop additional aggravation of the harm, the corporate and the artist made the tough determination to restrict RM’s motion throughout “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG.”

Accordingly, RM’s participation in sure performances, together with choreography on stage, might be restricted.

We sincerely ask for your understanding from followers and viewers members who’ve been wanting ahead to this stage.

Although there might be limitations to his efficiency, RM will take part on stage to the extent attainable and hopes to attach with ARMY and the viewers. As many have waited a very long time for this efficiency, he’ll do his utmost to ship his greatest.

The firm will proceed to prioritize the artist’s well being and security and can absolutely help RM in order that he can get well fully and return to actions in full type.

The different BTS members are additionally working laborious to organize for the efficiency, and we ask for your continued help and curiosity.

Thank you.