Goyang braces for BTS concert crowds, businesses expect sales boost

Copies of BTS’ fifth full-length album “ARIRANG” are displayed at the record section of Kyobo Book Centre in Jongno District, central Seoul, Tuesday. Newsis

With BTS set to bring its world tour to the city this month, Goyang is preparing to manage crowds and traffic, with local officials and merchants expecting a surge in spending by the group’s global fan base, known as ARMY.

The three concerts are scheduled for April 9, 11 and 12 at Goyang Sports Complex and are expected to draw a combined audience of about 129,000. The influx is expected to last four days, including the day with no scheduled show, prompting businesses and city authorities to prepare for heightened demand across retail, dining and lodging.

Merchants near the venue say the impact is already being felt. In the commercial district around Daehwa Station, restaurant owners said they are bracing for significant increases in sales during the concert period.

A banner welcoming the upcoming "BTS World Tour ARIRANG" is displayed at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Sunday. Yonhap

“On concert days, we get waiting lists of 10 to 15 groups, which doesn’t even happen on regular weekends,” said Kang Young-sik, 57, who runs a fried chicken restaurant. “Since it’s BTS and the concerts fall on weekends, I’m even more excited.”

A 40-year-old kimbap shop owner surnamed Lee said sales typically rise by more than 50 percent on concert days, driven largely by takeout orders.

“I’ve heard that BTS draws not just ticketholders but a lot of ARMY fans who just want to be in the area,” Lee said. “I think I’ll need to prepare a lot more ingredients.”

Convenience stores are also increasing inventory. A 60-year-old store owner surnamed Kim said sales of rice balls, drinks and bottled water jump more than 50 percent during major concerts, with batteries for light sticks in particularly high demand.

“Because the BTS concerts span multiple days, I placed advance orders with headquarters,” Kim said.

Media poles along a Myeong-dong street in Jung District, central Seoul, display messages welcoming K-pop group BTS and its fan club, ARMY, March 21, to celebrate the release of the group's fifth full-length album “ARIRANG” and its free comeback concert. Yonhap

Hotels near the venue are also reporting full bookings. One hotel with 60 rooms said all rooms had already been reserved for the entire concert period.

To extend economic benefits beyond the venue area, Goyang City is holding a weeklong event from April 6 to 15. More than 80 businesses, including restaurants, accommodations and traditional markets, are participating by offering discounts and promotional giveaways. The city said it is also working with private businesses to prevent price gouging and improve services for foreign visitors.

The city has also taken steps to link the concerts to broader tourism activity. Goyang Sports Complex and the singing fountain at Ilsan Lake Park have been lit in purple, BTS’ signature color. The city has also planned special fountain performances and ads for fans.

City officials said they are promoting a program dubbed “Goyang Con‑Trip,” which links concert attendance with local tourism in an effort to extend visitors’ length of stay. A themed tourism route highlighting locations associated with RM, a BTS member from Ilsan, is also being prepared.

At the same time, Goyang has strengthened preparations to manage crowds and public transit. The city said it set up a joint operation with police and fire officials to oversee traffic and crowd control during the concert run. Merchandise sales will take place at KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2, not at Goyang Sports Complex.

Paid shuttle buses will run between GTX‑A Kintex Station, KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2 and the sports complex. Staff will direct fans to leave in groups after each concert to ease congestion. The city also plans to increase subway service during peak times, with safety personnel stationed at major points.

City officials urged cooperation from fans.

“We ask ARMY fans to follow staff instructions during entry and exit, just as they did during the Seoul concerts,” the city said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.