K-pop boy band BTS in greater demand!
K-pop boy band BTS will increase the capacity of its comeback concert at the iconic Gwanghwamun Square!
Seoul, Mar 10 (EFE).–
K-pop boy band BTS will increase the capacity of its comeback concert at the iconic Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul by approximately 7,000 seats, taking the total number of seats to around 22,000 attendees, in response to overwhelming demand, the seven-member group’s agency said Tuesday.
The additional tickets for the Mar. 21 concert will be available for pre-order starting Thursday at 8 pm on the NOL Tickets platform, Big Hit Music said.
The agency did not specify the exact number of additional seats but indicated that the capacity will now be around 22,000 people, compared to the previously announced 15,000.
The agency explained that new standing zones will be set up, from where attendees can watch the concert on LED screens installed in the area.
Local media outlets have not specified the prices of the new tickets although the concert has been promoted as being free of charge since its announcement.
The concert, titled ‘BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang’, will mark the band’s first return to the stage as a full lineup in almost four years and will be held in one of the most iconic historical locations in the South Korean capital, in front of the main palace, Gyeongbokgung.
Local media estimate that the event will attract between 230,000 and 260,000 people throughout the Gwanghwamun area, including ticket holders and fans who will gather in the surrounding area to watch it.
Given the scale of the event, the city and security forces are preparing a comprehensive security operation. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it will deploy approximately 3,400 personnel for crowd and emergency management in the concert area.
Police will mobilize some 4,800 officers to ensure security and traffic control in the surrounding area. Authorities also launched an investigation into suspected use of automated ticket-buying programs amid concerns about reselling and scams, the Seoul Metropolitan Police chief was quoted as saying by the local news agency Yonhap.
Meanwhile, authorities have intensified inspections of nearby hotels and tourist accommodations to prevent price gouging or speculative practices in anticipation of the arrival of thousands of international visitors for the concert, according to a statement issued by the city’s government on Monday.
Although the city has said that camping in the area is prohibited, a legal loophole could make it difficult to remove fans who choose to wait in public spaces as long as they do not block pedestrian or vehicular traffic, a city official told The Korea Times. EFE
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