Superstar K-pop group BTS on Wednesday was awarded a cultural medal from the government for its contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide.

Cultural Minister Do Jong-hwan gave the medal to the septet at a ceremony at Olympic Hall in Seoul, after the group returned home earlier in the day after a highly successful, 52-day concert tour of the United States and Europe.

The BTS members said that they feel honored to receive the medal and will make efforts to further promote Korean culture worldwide.

"We'd like to attribute this glory to all Armies," RM said, referring to BTS fans.

Jin said that they feel great about many fans singing BTS songs in Korean and learning Korean.

"I will make effort to let Korean culture spread worldwide with the heart of a national representative," Suga said.

This photo, taken on Oct. 24, 2018, shows superstar K-pop group receiving a cultural medal from the South Korean government for contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide. (Yonhap)This photo, taken on Oct. 24, 2018, shows superstar K-pop group receiving a cultural medal from the South Korean government for contribution to the promotion of Korean culture worldwide. (Yonhap)

During the ceremony, BTS fans were waving noctilucent sticks called "Army Bombs" in their hands and cheered whenever the name of BTS was called or scenes featuring the group appeared on a stage screen.

The government gave cultural awards to 36 artists or groups, among which cultural medals were bestowed to 13.

"You're great artists on the grounds that you are affecting the people's lives," Minister Do said.

"Korean pop culture has given people around world fresh and new cultural shocks. As new cultural contents, K-pop and K-drama have changed people's daily lives and are evolving into a new Hallyu."

   "Hallyu" refers to the global popularity of South Korean popular culture, particularly music, movies and television dramas.

BTS arrived at Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul, early Wednesday morning, returning to their home country after departing on Sept. 3 for the "Love Yourself" world tour.

Wearing masks and hats and flanked by bodyguards and airport authorities, the members exited the airport without speaking to reporters and went straight to vans that were waiting outside.

Some members -- Jungkook, J-Hope and V -- waved or gave peace signs to cameras as they exited the airport.

They remained silent while walking through the airport but made visual statements with their attire.

Member Jin showed up in a sky-blue sweatshirt with a print of Mona Lisa, while Suga sported a winter coat and beanie with brooches of the Chanel emblem, both signs of the Paris leg of the world tour.

J-Hope wore a white T-shirt with support messages for BTS. Printed with a large image of BTS members, the shirt had the name of BTS member Jimin and the group's Korean full-name, "Bangtan Sonyeondan," which means "Bulletproof Boy Scouts," printed in Korean.

The messages of each arm of his T-shirt read, "I support you" and "I love you," while the back showed the message in pink, "I am an ARMY," the name of BTS' fan club. (Yonhap News)