On March 24, during a Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House, President Lee Jae Myung listened to a report from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi Young regarding the “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang” concert, which took place on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Following the briefing, Lee remarked that the event played a “decisive role in promoting both Gwanghwamun and South Korea.”
He further predicted that the concert would encourage more international visitors to travel to the area, stating, “More foreign tourists will now come to Gwanghwamun.” He also praised the overall planning and execution of the event, commending government agencies for their efforts. “The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and other related departments worked hard. Safety measures were handled well, and the event concluded without incident,” he added.
Minister Choi echoed the positive sentiment, emphasizing the global attention the concert received through its live broadcast. He noted that the event drew the eyes of young audiences worldwide to central Seoul, delivering immeasurable benefits in terms of national branding and the global spread of K-culture.
Choi also revealed that the number of tourists visiting South Korea in March increased by approximately 31% compared to the previous year, with a notable rise among people in their teens and twenties. He attributed this growth to the expanding influence of Korean culture worldwide. Regarding the lower-than-expected attendance compared to initial projections of up to 260,000 people, he explained that the estimate had been intentionally set high to ensure safety preparedness.
The “BTS The Comeback Live: Arirang” concert was organized to celebrate the release of BTS’s fifth full-length album, Arirang, unveiled on March 20. According to official figures, the event drew approximately 44,000 attendees based on Seoul city data, while HYBE estimated the crowd at around 104,000.
Sources: Nate
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