Japanese tourists take a commemorative photo on the steps of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, in front of a promotional decoration for BTS' upcoming comeback, Jan. 22. Yonhap

The unprecedented scale of BTS' upcoming free concert at Gwanghwamun Square is overwhelming central Seoul's civic infrastructure, forcing extreme government interventions to manage a massive influx of tourism that threatens to paralyze daily life.

The K-pop group will hold its "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG" concert on March 21, marking the band's first complete group performance in three years and nine months. With an estimated 260,000 people expected to gather around Gwanghwamun Square and City Hall, the area is bracing for massive disruption a month ahead of the event.

Global fans, known as ARMY, are flocking to the city. Dalia, a 32-year-old Italian fan, said she came to Korea especially for the performance and plans to stay in Seoul for about three months.

"On the concert ticketing day on Monday, I will empty my entire travel schedule and focus on securing a ticket at a PC cafe," she said with a smile.

This immense interest translates directly into a local tourism surge. Accommodation bookings in Jongno and Jung districts for March 20 and 21 jumped 450 percent compared to the same period last year, according to travel platform Yeogi Eottae.

Skyrocketing demand has driven room rates through the roof, triggering an immediate civic crisis. A four-star hotel in Gwanghwamun that typically charges 200,000 won ($139) for a weekend night is demanding over 600,000 won for the night before the concert. To curb this exploitation, the government will announce strict measures to crack down on price gouging at accommodations and restaurants next week.

Dalia, an Italian fan, holds a photocard of RM, her favorite BTS member, in front of the HYBE building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Feb. 19. Korea Times photo by Na Min-seo

Local merchants cheer, residents worry

Merchants exhausted by a prolonged economic slump welcome the rare business boom. Kang, a 62-year-old udon restaurant owner near Gwanghwamun, said he already hired an extra part-time worker to handle the global crowd.

Source: Korea Times News