BTS Transforms New York’s Guggenheim Into a Stage for ‘The Tonight Show’
The Guggenheim Museum, a cornerstone of New York City’s art scene, served as an unexpected venue for a masterclass in performance art on Wednesday morning (March 25). BTS descended upon the architectural landmark to film a secret segment for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, blending their musical prowess with the museum’s iconic aesthetic.
RM, Jin, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jung Kook delivered powerful renditions of two standout tracks from their latest studio effort, ARIRANG, which arrived earlier this month. The group showcased the album’s lead single, “SWIM,” alongside the fan-favorite track “2.0.”
The atmosphere inside the spiraling rotunda was electric yet intimate, with only 150 fans invited to the high-security, phone-free taping. While the septet moved with their usual precision, leader RM opted for a stool during the performance of “2.0” as he continues to recover from an ankle injury sustained shortly before the group’s March 21 comeback showcase in Seoul. However, he was back on his feet for the choreography of “SWIM.”
This appearance marks a significant milestone as the band’s first full-group late-night interview since their highly anticipated reunion. Fans won’t have to wait long to see the results: the first Guggenheim performance will debut during Wednesday night’s episode of The Tonight Show, with the second half following on Thursday’s broadcast (March 26).
The New York takeover is part of an intensive promotional cycle for ARIRANG, BTS’s first full-length project since the 2020 chart-topper Be. Prior to the museum taping, the members connected with the ARMY at an immersive Spotify event held in the heart of the city.
Catch BTS’s interview and their historic Guggenheim stage when Fallon airs tonight at 11:35 p.m. ET on NBC.
Reporting by Danielle Pascual.
