After waiting six years for BTS to return to the iHeartRadio Music Festival, fans probably expected the group's comeback to last longer than four songs.
BTS wasn't exactly easing themselves back into the iHeartRadio stage either. They tore through 'Swim,' '2.0,' 'Mic Drop,' and 'FYA,' while giant screens, crashing waves, and cinematic effects turned their four-song set into a full-blown showcase for the group's new 'BTS 2.0' era. By the time 'FYA' kicked the energy up another notch, the crowd had every reason to settle in for more. Instead, the screen suddenly flashed two rather final words: 'Thanks for watching!'
If anyone was expecting an encore, consider that hope officially thanked and shown the exit in an orderly manner. Judging by the confusion that followed online, the show's ending on Day One was not exactly a 'Mic Drop.'
Four Songs Later, BTS Fans Asked: 'That's It?'
Reddit quickly filled with fans wondering why BTS' closing set felt a lot shorter than expected. One viewer said they had only just entered 'concert mode' when everything abruptly ended, while another genuinely thought the group had staged a fake goodbye and would return for an encore. Unlike 'Fake Love,' this stage exit was very real.
The four-song limit looked even stranger to fans who had just watched other artists enjoy longer turns onstage. Of course, the fandom put on its detective hat, because what happens in Vegas ends up on Reddit, right?
One fan was 'shocked every other act was getting so much time,' while another said the abrupt ending was 'very, very, very off-putting.' Did all those interviews nibble away at BTS' set time? Was there a strict 10:30pm curfew waiting backstage with a stopwatch?
One commenter argued that 'they really didn't need all those unnecessary interviews' if time was already running short. Neither theory has been confirmed, and there is no evidence that BTS were deliberately rushed offstage. There is also a far less conspiratorial possibility: four songs might have been the plan all along.
Fans weren't exactly demanding that somebody snatch another artist's microphone to make room for a fifth BTS song, either. Several made it clear that they were happy to let every performer have their moment. What baffled them was how quickly the night's finale act seemed to go from 'FYA' to bye-bye. One Reddit user compared the exit to a 'school talent show' where BTS were being hurried along to keep everything on schedule. Not quite the grand finale they had pencilled into their expected setlists.
The Sound Mix Wasn't Exactly Music to ARMY's Ears
The clock wasn't the only thing getting side-eyed. Fans also criticised the livestream's sound mixing, with several claiming microphone levels varied noticeably between members. Some said certain voices came through clearly while others were difficult to hear. One viewer who later watched fancams thought the unofficial footage did more justice to both BTS and the audience.
None of that criticism was aimed at BTS themselves. If anything, ARMY were impressed that the group kept the performance going despite the wonky levels, with several praising the members for making the most of microphones that didn't always seem interested in cooperating.
'BTS 2.0' Might Need a Longer Demo Next Time
BTS themselves had nothing but love for the reunion. RM thanked iHeartRadio for having them and told the crowd that 'Vegas always feels good,' while marvelling that fans are still singing along to the group's Korean lyrics 14 years later.
Four songs were hardly going to satisfy a fandom with a six-year patience rebate. ARMY had waited that long for BTS to return to the festival. 'BTS 2.0' arrived with all seven members, but with probably half the performance length fans hoped for. Then 'FYA' capped off, 'Thanks for watching!' appeared, and the night pulled the plug before anyone had time to ask where the rest of it went.
Maybe four songs were always the plan, but after six years, ARMY was probably hoping 'BTS 2.0' came with the extended version.
