BTS Honors Peruvian Traditions as Controversy Shadows Lima Concerts

BTS' visit to Peru was marked by more than three sold-out concerts, as the members embraced elements of the country's cultural heritage both on and offstage. From RM's apparent participation in a traditional Andean ceremony to all seven members wearing Peruvian-inspired clothing during their final concert, the gestures drew attention to the group's engagement with local traditions.

A photograph which RM posted onto Instagram showed him participating in what seems to be a ceremony dedicated to Pachamama, or Mother Earth, during his stay in Lima. The BTS leader was pictured seated alongside individuals wearing traditional Andean clothing, with offerings arranged on colorful textiles and smoke rising from a ceremonial vessel.

The scene resembles a "pago a la tierra," an ancestral Andean offering ceremony rooted in gratitude, reciprocity and respect for nature. Traditionally, participants present items such as coca leaves, corn, grains and flowers to Pachamama, expressing appreciation for the earth and seeking harmony and prosperity.

Although the exact circumstances of the photograph have not been independently confirmed, RM was also seen exploring Huaca Pucllana, a pre-Inca archaeological site in Lima's Miraflores district, during the group's visit.

His apparent participation was followed by another display of interest in Peruvian culture during BTS' third and final concert at Estadio San Marcos on October 10.

RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook appeared onstage wearing traditional Peruvian-inspired ponchos and chullos, colorful Andean hats commonly associated with the country's highland communities.

The members wore the garments during the closing portion of the concert, including performances of "Come Over," "Butter" and "Dynamite." V also approached the audience and gifted his chullo to a fan near the barricade.

For many Peruvian fans, the moment represented a meaningful acknowledgment of their country's traditions, particularly during BTS' first visit to Peru.

However, the gestures also came against a complicated backdrop as throughout the group's stay in Lima, crowds gathered outside their hotel, prompting RM to publicly request that people respect the members' privacy and allow them to rest.

The contrast between the controversy surrounding the hotel and BTS' affectionate gestures toward the country became another point of discussion among fans.

Some online observers also drew comparisons with the group's preceding concerts in Bogotá, Colombia, questioning why similar traditional clothing had not been incorporated into those performances.

Nevertheless, the choice to wear Peruvian garments does not necessarily indicate a preference for one country over another. BTS also made efforts to connect with Colombian audiences through local expressions, Spanish-language interactions and references to the country's culture during their Bogotá concerts.

RM himself addressed the broader tensions during BTS' second Lima performance, explaining that privacy-related incidents had occurred in multiple countries and emphasizing that his earlier criticism was not directed specifically at Peru or Latin America.

His comments reinforced a distinction between the actions of individuals gathering outside the group's accommodation and the wider fan communities welcoming BTS to their countries.

The group's final appearance in Peruvian clothing therefore offered a different image of their visit, one centered on cultural exchange and appreciation rather than the disturbances that had dominated some of the surrounding discussion.

For BTS, whose international tour continues across Latin America, the moments in Lima also highlighted how local traditions can become part of the experience shared between artists and their audiences.