BTS's Jungkook Heads to Japan Two Days After the iHeartRadio Finale — Fans Cheer On a Nonstop Global Run
Just two days after returning from his U.S. schedule, BTS's Jungkook has headed off to Japan again. Right before the Chuseok holiday, fans are sending both cheers and concern for his health over a global run that never seems to pause. U.S. Stage → Home → Japan Two Days Later Jungkook departed for Las Vegas via Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 17th. After the "2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival" stage on the 18th (local time), he returned through Incheon Airport in the early hours of the 21st — and just two days later, on the 23rd, he departed for Japan again via Gimpo Airport. News of this departure for a scheduled engagement spread quickly on X (formerly Twitter) that day, becoming a major topic. The 23rd was the day before Korea's Chuseok holiday and also a public holiday in Japan, designated as Autumnal Equinox Day. On a day when both countries begin to rest, Jungkook was crossing holidays in transit. Meanwhile, J-Hope was also reported to have carried out a personal engagement on the same day, and support continues to pour in for members who have no time to rest even on the first day of the holiday. First iHeartRadio in Six Years — Closing the Show The centerpiece of this U.S. schedule was the "2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival." On the 18th (local time), BTS appeared as the closing artist at the festival, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and capped the night with the finale. It was their first appearance in about six years, since 2020, on a stage shared with world-class artists such as Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, and Benson Boone. In a show staged under the theme "BTS 2.0," BTS performed four songs, opening with "SWIM," the title track of their fifth full album, followed by "2.0," "MIC Drop," and "FYA." Each song came with its own staging — water flowing across the giant LED screen for "SWIM," the Las Vegas night skyline unfolding for "2.0." "Master of Intros" Jungkook Proves His Vocals Jungkook once again made his presence shine on the stage that night. Taking the intro of the opening song "SWIM," he showed off vocals that blended a sweet voice with a dreamy tone, and in the intense, dynamic performances of "MIC Drop," "2.0," and "FYA," he captivated fans with vocal skills that moved freely between low and high notes and with commanding stage presence. That day, the Chinese fan club "Jungkook China" ran an ad video on a giant billboard directly across from T-Mobile Arena to support his festival appearance, drawing attention. In an interview, the members shared, "ARMY is the best fandom in the world, and it's amazing how they sing along to every Korean lyric." "We Hope He Rests, Even Briefly, This Holiday" Reactions from fans followed right away toward Jungkook, who set out on an overseas schedule just two days after returning from the U.S. stage. One Japanese fan lamented, "I'd just been hoping he'd rest well over Chuseok, and now he's off to Japan again," while another worried about his health amid the grueling pace: "Wishing him a safe flight — I hope he gets some rest this time." Seeing him keep up his schedule without rest even over the holiday, fans took to social media with mixed feelings — glad to see the proud star at work, yet aching for him — sharing the wish, "We hope he can rest comfortably, even for a moment, this holiday." As Jungkook runs nonstop between the ARIRANG world tour and global festivals, hearts are gathering in the hope that ample rest accompanies his passion.
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