In an extraordinary diplomatic move, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally requested that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung help facilitate additional concerts by the global K-pop phenomenon BTS. The plea comes amid a staggering surge in demand, with Sheinbaum revealing that approximately one million young people in Mexico are eager to purchase tickets, vastly outstripping the current allocation of just 150,000 seats.
A Presidential Appeal for Pop Culture
President Sheinbaum made the announcement during her daily morning press conference, stating she had sent a diplomatic letter to her South Korean counterpart. "Everyone wants to go," she declared, highlighting the intense public fervour. This intergovernmental request underscores the immense cultural and economic impact of BTS, transforming a typical tour announcement into a matter of international dialogue.
Global Tour Ignites Ticket Scramble
The chart-topping septet is poised to embark on a highly anticipated global tour in April, following the release of their first new album in three years, titled Arirang. This marks their return from a hiatus that began in 2022, during which members fulfilled South Korea's mandatory military service obligations. The tour announcement triggered a worldwide rush for tickets, with Mexico—home to one of the largest K-pop fan bases globally—experiencing particularly acute pressure due to only three scheduled concerts in Mexico City.
Consumer Watchdog Investigates Ticketing Chaos
The overwhelming demand has led to significant ticketing controversies. Mexico's consumer protection agency, Profeco, has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster and has sanctioned resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo for what it terms "abusive and disloyal practices" during the BTS ticket sales process. While specific details were not disclosed, the agency has committed to developing new guidelines to better regulate future concert and festival ticket sales, including pre-established prices and locations.
Ticket prices have soared on secondary markets. Official prices on Ticketmaster ranged from approximately 1,800 pesos to 17,800 pesos for VIP access (roughly $100 to $1,030). However, on resale platforms this Monday, tickets were being listed from 11,300 pesos to an astonishing 92,100 pesos (over $5,300). Neither Ticketmaster nor the resale companies provided immediate comment on the situation.
Historical Context of Ticketing Issues
This is not the first ticketing controversy for Ticketmaster in Mexico. In 2022, the company, owned by Live Nation Entertainment, reimbursed around $1 million to customers after more than a thousand fans were denied entry to a Bad Bunny concert at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca. At that time, Ticketmaster criticised resellers and fraudulent vendors, calling for stronger regulatory controls—a plea that now echoes in the current BTS ticket frenzy.
Tour and Album Details
BTS's new album, Arirang, is slated for release in March. The world tour will commence in Goyang, South Korea, on April 9th. The three concerts currently scheduled for Mexico are all set to take place at Mexico City's GNP Seguros Stadium from May 7th to May 10th. President Sheinbaum's unprecedented request seeks to expand this limited itinerary to accommodate the massive, unmet demand from Mexican fans.
