BTS (RM, V, J-Hope, Suga, Jin, Jungkook, Jimin), who returned with their 5th full-length album “ARIRANG,” will hold “BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG” on March 21 at 8 PM in the Gwanghwamun Square area in Seoul.
The concert, which will run for about an hour, is completely free and features both standing and reserved seating sections. Although the performance starts at 8 PM, large crowds have already begun to gather in anticipation of the group’s first full seven-member comeback stage in 3 years and 9 months.
Since the morning, the streets near Gwanghwamun have been packed with police officers, volunteers, pedestrians, and fans. Around the main stage, fences have been installed, and visitors must pass through 31 designated gates to enter the square. Each gate is equipped with walk-through metal detectors to screen for dangerous items, while police officers conduct body and bag checks.
Buildings near the venue have also been restricted to prevent unauthorized entry or potential accidents, such as falls from rooftops during attempts to view the concert.
Traffic and road controls have also been implemented. The section of Sejong-daero between Gwanghwamun and City Hall has been closed since 9 PM on March 20 and will reopen around 6 AM on March 22. Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro are closed from 4 PM to 11 PM, while Saemunan-ro and the Gwanghwamun underpass are restricted from 7 PM to 11 PM.
City, village, and regional buses passing through these areas are temporarily rerouted. Nearby subway stations—Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), City Hall Station (Lines 1 and 2), and Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)—are also closed from the afternoon, with trains passing through without stopping.
Gwanghwamun Station will be non-stop from 2 PM to 10 PM, while City Hall and Gyeongbokgung stations will operate non-stop from 3 PM to 10 PM. Subway services at these stations will resume after the concert ends at 10 PM.
The government has set up an on-site control center at the Seoul Government Complex to monitor crowd density in real time. According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, between 12,000 and 14,000 people had already gathered in the Gwanghwamun area as of 10 AM, with officials expecting the crowd to grow significantly from around 3 PM onward.
Meanwhile, South Korea is ramping up security measures ahead of BTS’s highly anticipated free concert, with authorities raising the national terror alert level as hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to gather in central Seoul.
Security Tightened for Global Event
The concert is scheduled for March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, with an estimated 260,000 attendees expected in the surrounding area. During a cabinet meeting on March 17, President Lee Jae Myung emphasized that safety must be the top priority. “This is a globally anticipated event. The key issue is safety,” he stated, urging authorities to prepare for all possible scenarios, including low-probability threats such as terrorism.
As a result, the government has raised the terror alert level in central Seoul to “caution,” the second-lowest tier in a four-level system, effective from Wednesday to Saturday. Police, fire departments, and related agencies have been instructed to increase patrols in key areas, strengthen infrastructure monitoring and enhance emergency response coordination
Tourism Push Alongside Concert
Beyond security, South Korea is leveraging the event as a major opportunity to promote tourism. The Korea Tourism Organization is collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to launch large-scale promotional campaigns.
At Gwanghwamun, visitors will find giant outdoor screens showcasing Korean tourism content, LED welcome displays for international fans and interactive booths offering travel information and K-content experiences
Nearby, the HiKR Ground tourism center will be transformed into a purple-themed fan space, inspired by BTS’s signature color, offering dance and singing events, discounts on beverages and free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and rest facilities
Mixed Reactions From Local Businesses
While many businesses anticipate increased foot traffic from international visitors, some remain cautious. Shop owners noted that since the concert is free, many fans may camp out early, reducing spending on food and services. Others worry about overcrowding and limited accessibility for regular customers.
However, some businesses, especially those that typically see low weekend traffic, are optimistic about a potential boost. Preparations for the concert, including stage construction, have already caused restricted access in parts of Gwanghwamun.
Some residents, particularly the elderly, have expressed inconvenience due to detours. Still, many citizens believe the disruption is justified. “It’s a performance by global stars that enhances national prestige, some inconvenience is worth it,” one office worker commented. This concert marks BTS’s first full-group return in nearly four years, making it one of the largest cultural events held in central Seoul in recent years.
Sources: TP, Nate
You must be logged in to post a comment.