BTS’s Gwanghwamun Concert Sparks Backlash Against LE SSERAFIM
LE SSERAFIM is facing unexpected backlash amid ongoing debates over BTS’ recent free concert turnout in Seoul.
The controversy began when BTS wrapped up their massive March 21 concert at Gwanghwamun Square. Netizens criticized the crowd size, saying it was smaller than expected. This sparked comparisons to LE SSERAFIM’s Tokyo Dome concerts last year during their Easy Crazy Hot tour.
LE SSERAFIM performed two consecutive days at the iconic Tokyo Dome, confirming their strong popularity in Japan. However, some audience members claimed the concerts didn’t sell out the entire venue, stirring controversy.
Clips from LE SSERAFIM’s Tokyo Dome shows resurfaced on social media, mainly shared by Japanese netizens. Many pointed out empty seats on the second floor, suggesting HYBE might be inflating concert attendance figures for its artists.
A viral tweet showed the sparse second-floor seats during LE SSERAFIM’s Tokyo Dome concert:
ルセラの東京ドームも2階ガラガラだった
— IORI (@ga_iori) March 21, 2026
The posts spread quickly on Korean community sites, with users mocking both BTS and LE SSERAFIM.
“They could have just held the BTS performance there.”
— “LOL.”
“Weren’t those limited-view seats?”
— “They look too wide to be limited-view seats.”
Other comments questioned HYBE’s handling of the Tokyo Dome event:
“HYBE usually floods the media with press releases after events like this, but it seemed like they barely put out any articles regarding the Tokyo Dome concert. I was wondering why. This explains it.”
“If something gets a poor reception in Korea, even if there’s a bit of a time lag, it eventually ends up getting a poor reception overseas as well. That’s because they scrape up absolutely everything posted on Korean online communities.”
“It was a restricted-view seat section that wasn’t even opened to the public. What is this nonsense about fabricating a narrative based on a video filmed when the artist was leaving? You people really stoop to every low imaginable.”
As the situation unfolded, the debate over concert attendance and HYBE’s promotion strategies continues to stir heated discussions online. Fans remain divided, with many scrutinizing both BTS and LE SSERAFIM’s recent live event turnouts.