The excitement surrounding BTS‘s first full-group concert in nearly four years has taken a bitter turn. While millions of fans across the globe are counting down the days to March 21, when the seven members will perform at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, a very different kind of emotion is brewing closer to home.
For some local residents, particularly couples planning to get married on that same day, the BTS Gwanghwamun concert has become a source of serious stress and financial anxiety. Reports of wedding cancellations, heavy penalty fees, and massive traffic jams have sparked a heated debate online. Frustrated fans and angry netizens have taken to social media to express their outrage, with some making the bold claim that “South Korea doesn’t deserve BTS.”
The Concert That’s Taking Over Central Seoul
BTS is scheduled to hold “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” on March 21 at 8 p.m. local time to celebrate the release of their fifth full-length album, Arirang, which drops the day before on March 20 . This marks the group’s first performance as a complete unit since they finished their mandatory military service, ending a hiatus of approximately three years and nine months .
The free concert is expected to draw massive crowds. Police estimates suggest that up to 230,000 people could gather near Daehanmun at Deoksugung, mainly in the northern section of Gwanghwamun Square where the stage will be set up. Overall attendance could climb to 260,000 if the crowd spreads toward nearby Sungnyemun . The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is taking no chances, planning to deploy counter-terrorism special forces and dividing the venue into four density zones to manage the massive crowd safely .
For those unable to attend in person, Netflix will livestream the concert worldwide in over 190 countries, marking the platform’s first-ever live broadcast of a single artist’s concert .
Weddings Turned Upside Down: “I Honestly Don’t Know Why This Has to Happen on My Wedding Day”
While the concert is a dream come true for ARMY, it has turned into a nightmare for some Seoul couples who booked their wedding dates months or even a year in advance.
Song, a bride scheduled to hold her ceremony at a wedding hall near Seodaemun Station—just one subway stop from Gwanghwamun Square—shared her frustration with The Korea Herald.
“Traffic around Gwanghwamun is always chaotic on weekends due to rallies. I already felt bad about that. And now there’s a BTS concert? I honestly don’t know why this has to happen on my wedding day,” she said .
Song explained that she has been reaching out to friends and family to apologize and ask them to take public transportation on March 21. Her wedding is scheduled for noon that day .
The problem is that wedding venues are typically booked six months to a year in advance. News of the BTS concert only broke in mid-January, leaving couples like Song with little time to adjust. Rescheduling at this point comes with heavy financial penalties.
According to the Fair Trade Commission’s consumer dispute resolution guidelines, couples can cancel their wedding contracts without penalty up to 90 days before the date. However, cancellations made 30 to 59 days before the event come with a fee equivalent to 20 percent of the overall contract price . With wedding costs in South Korea often running into tens of thousands of dollars, that penalty can amount to several million won.
Some anxious couples are even discussing the possibility of seeking compensation for the disruptions. One Naver user planning to get married in Seoul next month argued:
“If this were a government event, that’d be different. But when a private company holds an event in a public space, and regular people are left to deal with the fallout, there should be compensation” .
Wedding venues near the concert site are also feeling the heat. A wedding planner told a local news outlet that inquiries from brides and grooms have been pouring in. “We’re fully booked on March 21 from morning through the evening,” the planner said .
Safety Fears and the Shadow of Itaewon
Beyond the wedding woes, serious concerns about crowd safety have also taken center stage. Many fans and Seoul citizens have not forgotten the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush that claimed 159 lives. That tragedy has made large-scale public gatherings a sensitive topic in South Korea .
HYBE, BTS’s management agency, has stated that it will secure 3,553 security personnel for the event. However, police have indicated they may request additional staff depending on the actual crowd size .
Fans themselves have been vocal about safety concerns. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit, international ARMY members have warned about the risks of excessive crowd density. Some have urged authorities to implement clear crowd-flow management and strict on-site safety controls .
One widely shared post on social media summed up the sentiment: “Prevention is better than reaction” .
The “King’s Path” Controversy Adds Fuel to the Fire
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, BTS is reportedly negotiating with the National Heritage Administration and the Seoul Metropolitan Government to make a dramatic entrance by walking the “King’s Path.” This would involve the members processing from Geunjeongmun and Heungnyemun gates inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, through the main Gwanghwamun gate, and onto the woldae (elevated ceremonial platform) to reach the stage .
While this plan adds historical weight to the “Return of the King” narrative, it has sparked criticism. Some argue that using a site symbolizing Korea’s democratic protests and resistance for a royal-themed procession is inappropriate and tone-deaf.
Social media reactions have been sharply divided. One Twitter user criticized the plan harshly:
“Since when did BTS become royalty…? They’re just one of many popular idol groups, and their company isn’t even a reputable one. It’s Bang Si Hyuk’s company, which is under investigation for a stock fraud crime worth trillions of won. Why are they being given such preferential treatment…? Everyone seems to have lost their minds. Pack it up” .
Another user questioned the political implications: “Does the Lee Jae Myung administration think that culture is something that can be easily managed by simply partnering with large corporations?” .
A third comment reflected deeper historical sensitivity:
“It seems like both the organizer and the people who agreed to this are completely insane… We finally created a democratic nation, but if they bring back the monarchy and call it the ‘king’s path,’ will ordinary citizens suddenly be reduced to commoners again, forced to bow their heads and show excessive deference?” .
Fans Fight Back: “South Korea Doesn’t Deserve BTS”
As news of the wedding cancellations and the historical controversy spread, a fierce backlash emerged online—but this time, it was aimed at the critics themselves.
Many international and domestic fans rushed to defend BTS, arguing that the group brings immense cultural and economic value to South Korea. They pointed out that the concert is a free gift to the public, and that the group’s return after military service is a national event worth celebrating.
Some fans expressed anger that couples and critics are blaming BTS rather than the city planners or the wedding venues. One fan wrote on social media, “How is this BTS’s fault? They’re giving a FREE concert for their fans after years of serving their country. The city should have planned better.”
Another fan’s comment captured the growing frustration: “South Korea doesn’t deserve BTS.” This sentiment quickly gained traction, with thousands of likes and shares across various platforms.
Supporters argued that the economic boost from the concert—with fans flooding into Seoul from all over the world, filling hotels, restaurants, and shops—far outweighs the localized disruption to a few wedding halls.
Accommodation Prices Explode Amid Global Demand
The concert has also triggered a lodging nightmare in Seoul. With ticket reservations opening on February 23, most hotels in the Gwanghwamun area are already fully booked for the concert weekend . The few remaining rooms have seen prices skyrocket, with some motels charging up to 1 million won ($693) per night .
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has promised action, stating, “This concert is a golden opportunity to imprint Seoul’s charm as a global cultural capital. We will prepare thoroughly to ensure safety and prevent price gouging” .
City inspectors are currently checking large hotels for unfair pricing and plan to expand the crackdown to smaller motels .
On Reddit’s Bangtan forum, which has over 720,000 members, fans shared practical tips and frustrations. “Hotel now, concert ticket later,” one fan advised . Others lamented soaring prices, with one user writing, “The price is now crazy” .
Scalping has also emerged as a major issue. A “Play & Stay” package for the Goyang show (part of BTS’s upcoming world tour) was advertised at $2,500—more than double the official price of about 1.59 million won—sparking outrage among fans who failed to secure tickets .
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What’s Actually Happening on March 21
For those planning to attend or watch from home, here are the key details as confirmed by BigHit Music and the Seoul Metropolitan Government:
- Date and Time: March 21, 2026, at 8 p.m. KST
- Location: Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul (stage set up at the northern starting point near Gwanghwamun Gate)
- Capacity: Approximately 34,000 seats (17,000 main seats + 17,000 side seats)
- Ticket Lottery: Open to ARMY fan club members on Weverse who purchase selected merchandise; runs for three days starting February 17
- General Tickets: Available on Nol Ticket from February 23 at 8 p.m. KST
- Livestream: Netflix (worldwide in over 190 countries)
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to establish detour routes to ease expected traffic congestion. Subway trains may bypass Gwanghwamun Station if overcrowding becomes dangerous, and bus routes will be detoured .
As March 21 approaches, all eyes will be on Seoul—not just for the long-awaited BTS performance, but to see how the city manages one of the largest cultural events in its recent history. For the couples caught in the middle, it’s a day they never imagined would be tied to a K-pop concert. And for the fans, it’s a moment to prove that their love for BTS can coexist with respect for the everyday lives of Seoul’s citizens.
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