BTS is set to embark on a full-group world tour for the first time in four years, and the announcement of their domestic concerts in Busan has already caused major controversy. The group will perform in Busan on June 12 and 13, and shortly after the news broke, accommodation prices in the city began to soar dramatically.
Hotel rates during the concert period have surged far beyond normal levels. Near Haeundae Station, nightly rates for some accommodations have jumped to between ₩700,000 and ₩1.2 million. Just a week earlier, the same rooms were priced between ₩70,000 and ₩300,000, meaning prices increased by roughly four to as much as ten times.
The situation is no different in other parts of Busan. In Dongnae District, a lodging that normally charged ₩68,000 on June 10 raised its price to ₩769,000 during the concert dates more than a tenfold increase. In Gijang County, rooms that usually cost ₩98,000 were listed at ₩502,000 and ₩431,000. On online travel platforms, rooms for the concert dates sold out rapidly, further accelerating price hikes.
As public anger grew over what many labeled “price gouging” tied to BTS’s Busan concerts, President Lee Jae Myung issued a strong warning. On January 16, he posted on social media, stating, “Malicious profiteering that destroys market order and causes widespread harm must be completely eradicated,” adding that “the damage should far outweigh any unfair gains.”
The president shared a news article titled, “Prices Jump Tenfold Because BTS Is Coming… Busan Hotel Rates Spark Another Gouging Controversy,” signaling the administration’s serious stance on the issue.
Busan has faced similar criticism during major events in the past. During the Busan Fireworks Festival in November last year, some accommodations charged over ₩1 million per night, with one property jumping from ₩650,000 to as high as ₩2 million. Back in October 2022, when BTS held the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid Concert, hotel prices near the venue also skyrocketed, triggering widespread backlash.
Sources: Naver
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