BTS: find out what the Swimside experience was like in Brazil
The "Swimside" event, promoted by Spotify, in partnership with the South Korean group BTS, brought together fans through an interactive exhibition with giveaways, music and a planetarium-shaped screen. The experience took place on May 23rd and 24th at Visualfarm Gymnasium, in São Paulo.
In the first part of the event, fans could participate in three activations. In one of them, it was possible to enter a small house decorated with photos of all the group members. In this installation, each guest was entitled to a photo in polaroid format.
A second dynamic allowed fans to write letters to BTS members and paste them on a wall. The lights and screens in the exhibition caught the public's attention.
The fans then left for a session where they could watch the performance of the single "SWIM", inside a structure that resembles a planetarium. At the exit, the path led to a scene with projections, sounds and a lighthouse, which make reference to the music video, in which RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook appear on a boat.
Finally, fans went up to the second floor of the event, where they received gifts and had the right to choose a non-alcoholic drink. The space was focused on interaction and music.
"The Brazilian fan is special. So, as Swimside had already happened in Asia, this was the result of a strategy for us to also recognize the audience in Brazil, where the growth of K-pop is constant", described Ellen Rocha, spokesperson for the event.
Regarding the moment of interaction, Ellen highlighted the connection between the Armies. "I think the biggest challenge is for us to be able to create an environment of connection between the fan and the artist, but also between the fandom itself. We want this to be a moment of identification, for people to get to know each other and share what they like", he added.
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Swimside was incredible!!
Very organized event with super attentive staff.
I hope they can bring more boys events like this in the future.
I miss you already pic.twitter.com/28uTq9SFY7
- Bangtan News Brasil (@BTSNewsBrasil) May 23, 2026
About the album "ARIRANG"
The name "Arirang" refers to the first Korean song recorded in the United States, a folk song that symbolizes the soul, history and resistance of the Korean people.
It is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and its literal meaning is uncertain, but theories suggest "my beloved", evoking love and separation, while the chorus is a collective lament and a call to unity, representing the struggle and hope of a divided people.
Brazil is the second country that most listened to "Arirang", BTS' comeback album after a break of almost four years for the group, behind only the United States.
78.6 million streams were recorded in Brazil in the first week of launch alone. In the United States, which ranked first, the album received 115 million streams.
*Under the supervision of Gabriela Maraccini, from CNN Brasil
Remember what each member of BTS did during a 4-year break
Source: CNN