South Korean authorities prepared for up to 260,000 fans to attend BTS's first full-group concert in nearly four years in central Seoul, but official estimates show attendance was far lower, raising questions about the extensive use of public resources for a private event. The free concert at Gwanghwamun Square on Saturday marked the release of the band's latest album, Arirang, and was livestreamed on Netflix.
In the weeks leading up to the show, police forecast up to 260,000 fans, prompting authorities to deploy 6,700 officers, 10,000 public officials, and 4,800 safety personnel hired by Hybe, BTS's management. The area was treated as a 'virtual stadium', with a 1.2km high-density control zone, metal detectors, and bag checks. Nearby subway stations were bypassed or shut, leading to long queues and inconvenience.
However, attendance estimates varied widely. The Seoul metropolitan government reported 48,000 people, the interior ministry 62,000, police 80,000, and Hybe 104,000. The discrepancies arose from different counting methods: the city used domestic telecom data, excluding foreign fans; police included nearby sites; and Hybe analysed ticketing and telecom data. Foreign fans made up 40-50% of the crowd, according to Chosun Ilbo.
The gap between expectation and reality sparked debate in South Korea. Critics questioned the use of public resources for a private concert and noted that heavy controls dampened footfall for local businesses. A restaurant owner told Korea JoongAng Daily he expected 20m won (£9,971) in sales but only made 1m won (£499). Attendee Lee Jung Yeon said the inconvenience led many to leave.
Hybe's shares fell 14.5% on Monday following the lower-than-expected turnout. The concert was BTS's first full-group performance since 2022, after members completed mandatory military service.
