BTS Concert Draws Attention From Korean Government

BTS is facing backlash as lodging prices in Busan have skyrocketed ahead of their upcoming concert, prompting government intervention.

The controversy began when fans reported massive price hikes for accommodations during BTS’s “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN” on June 12 and 13, 2026. The concert coincides with BTS’s debut anniversary on June 13, drawing huge crowds of Korean and international fans. Busan city and BTS’s agency planned multiple events, but lodging costs quickly became a major issue.

In May, the Fair Trade Commission and Korea Consumer Agency investigated 135 lodging facilities in Busan. They found average prices during the concert dates had jumped to about 2.4 times higher than normal weekend rates. Motel prices rose roughly 3.3 times, hotels about 2.9 times, and some places charged over five times their usual rates.

Rooms normally costing ₩100,000 KRW (around $66 USD) surged to ₩750,000 KRW ($495 USD). Rooms priced at ₩300,000 KRW ($198 USD) soared as high as ₩1.80 million KRW ($1,190 USD).

Fans also claimed that some accommodations canceled existing reservations after the concert was announced, only to resell the same rooms at inflated prices, citing overbooking or remodeling as excuses.

This isn’t the first time BTS’s Busan concerts faced lodging controversies. In 2022, during their “Yet To Come in BUSAN” event supporting Busan’s 2030 World Expo bid, some businesses canceled bookings and resold rooms at over 10 times the price.

As the situation unfolded, BTS addressed the issue during a live broadcast after winning three American Music Awards on May 26.

BTS Directly Calls Out Price Gouging Practices Related To Their Concert

Now, the South Korean government is stepping in. On June 1, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related agencies formed a joint task force to create a “safe pricing system against price gouging.”

The plan includes a pre-reporting system requiring lodging businesses to declare prices in advance for peak seasons and major events, with prices made public. Authorities are considering stronger penalties for violations like failing to display prices, false pricing, not following reported prices, or canceling reservations. Penalties could include business suspensions instead of just warnings.

Busan City is also preparing solutions, including a citizen homestay project where locals can offer homes to visitors. Additionally, around 1,300 alternative lodging options will be arranged using university dorms, public training centers, youth facilities, and religious sites.

With BTS’s Busan concert attracting global fans, the lodging price controversy has escalated beyond fandom complaints into a public issue.