ED Inconvenient truth behind BTS comeback show
K-pop group BTS performs during the "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG" concert in central Seoul, Saturday. AP-Yonhap
Superstar group's triumphant return raises questions about venue
The BTS comeback show on Saturday was nothing short of spectacular. It was, by any standard, a resounding success.
The glitz and glamour of the K-pop superstars lit up the night at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. Livestreamed on Netflix to viewers in some 190 countries, the seven picture-perfect musicians — now mostly in their 30s — demonstrated why they are regarded as global cultural icons.
It was hard to believe that "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG" marked the group's first full-member performance in over three years, following a hiatus for mandatory military service. The show was that seamless, that flawless. Its new album, “ARIRANG,” quickly swept global music charts — an achievement well deserved.
Yet there is an inconvenient truth about the event, one that has nothing to do with BTS’ performance, but rather with the venue itself. Was Gwanghwamun Square the right place to host such a massive global concert? Perhaps not.
The concert took place in a bustling urban space surrounded by royal palaces, hotels, modern buildings and major subway stations. This rare coexistence of traditional and contemporary Korea makes the square visually compelling — an attractive choice for event organizers. But this appeal comes at a cost. From the outset, it was clear that citizens would have to endure significant inconvenience.
Gwanghwamun Square is an open public space, and as such, it carries inherent risks. Given BTS’ global popularity, the possibility of a crowd crush was a serious concern. Hosting an event of this scale in such a location inevitably restricts citizens’ access and movement — and those concerns quickly became reality.
On Saturday, all visitors — regardless of purpose — were subject to security checks. Brides and grooms having weddings nearby were among the hardest hit. One couple said in a media interview that they moved their ceremony an hour earlier to avoid traffic controls that began at 3 p.m. Others whose weddings were scheduled later had to rely on police vehicles to reach their venues, while their guests were required to undergo security screening.
The event also led to unintended restrictions on freedom of expression. Rallies and protests in the Gwanghwamun area were banned from Monday to Saturday last week.
More troubling was the issue of resource allocation. More than 10,000 civil servants were mobilized to ensure safety during the concert. Police officers made up the largest share, with 6,700 deployed, followed by 2,600 Seoul Metropolitan Government officials. About 800 firefighters were also placed on standby. These measures were intended to prevent a tragedy like the deadly crowd crush in Itaewon on Oct. 29, 2022.
The scale of deployment was based on projections that up to 260,000 fans might gather. In reality, estimates varied widely: BTS’ agency, HYBE, said about 104,000 attended, while the Seoul city government put the figure closer to 40,000. Regardless of which estimate is more accurate, the ratio of personnel to attendees appears excessive.
Such large-scale mobilization raises concerns about the efficient use of public resources. In a sense, it was a waste of taxpayer money. More importantly, it highlighted the potential strain on emergency services. With thousands of police officers and hundreds of firefighters concentrated in one location, questions arose about coverage elsewhere in the city.
Fortunately, the concert concluded without incident.
Still, the use of Gwanghwamun raises broader questions for Korean society. Is it acceptable to hold large-scale events in public spaces at the expense of citizens’ convenience, rights and well-being, without their consent? What if the event had created a security vacuum elsewhere or strained emergency response capabilities? And ultimately, who would bear responsibility if something had gone wrong?
These questions might not have arisen had the concert been held in a stadium or dedicated venue.
HYBE issued a statement thanking fans and citizens for their support and apologizing for the inconvenience. It is a relief that the event proceeded safely. But going forward, both event organizers and authorities must find a better balance between ensuring public safety and protecting citizens’ basic rights.