BTS is scheduled to hold a large-scale free comeback concert in the heart of downtown Seoul next month. With the possibility of up to 200,000 people gathering that day, thorough safety management is being demanded.
This concert commemorates the release of BTS’s fifth studio album ‘ARIRANG’ and will take place in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul at 8 PM on the 21st. Plans under discussion include using locations within Gyeongbokgung Palace, such as Geunjeongmun Gate, Heungnyemun Gate, and the Gwanghwamun Moon Gate. Plans are also being considered to open all three gates of Gwanghwamun for the members’ entrance, transforming Seoul’s iconic landmark into a new stage for BTS.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is currently discussing plans to prepare official viewing areas for approximately 15,000 people at Gwanghwamun Square and about 13,000 people at City Hall Square and the Sejong-daero intersection area. However, it is highly likely that fans unable to secure tickets will gather in the surrounding areas, meaning the actual crowd size is expected to far exceed these figures.
Given the anticipated massive crowd, safety measures have also emerged as a critical task. In 2012, when Psy held a free concert at Seoul Plaza after reaching No. 2 on the Billboard charts, approximately 80,000 people gathered simultaneously, resulting in an incident where some audience members fainted due to breathing difficulties. With a crowd expected to be more than double that size for this concert, thorough measures to prevent accidents are required.
This comeback stage will be live-streamed globally to 190 countries via Netflix. As it marks their first new release in three years and nine months, attention is focused not only domestically but also from overseas fans. The performance is also expected to showcase Korea’s landmarks and the beauty of Seoul to the world.
Attention is focused on whether BTS’s comeback performance, set against the backdrop of downtown Seoul, will become a global festival while also being remembered as a safe event.