BTS Concert Gyeongbokgung Closure Museums Theaters

In anticipation of massive crowds for BTS’s upcoming performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21st, Seoul is implementing significant safety measures. Authorities have announced temporary closures of historical sites and cultural venues in the vicinity to ensure public safety and protect cultural heritage.

The Korea Heritage Service has announced that Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) located in Gwanghwamun, will be closed to the public. The palace parking lot will also be shut down, and public access will be restricted.

An emergency task force for palaces will be activated to conduct intensive inspections and on-site monitoring of key areas, including Yeongchumun (west gate) and Geonchunmun (east gate), to ensure their protection during the event.

The National Palace Museum of Korea, adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace, will also suspend operations on the day of the BTS concert.

Several other nearby cultural institutions are also adjusting their schedules in response to the event.

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and situated next to Gwanghwamun Square, will be closed on March 21st.

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts has canceled all performances scheduled for that day. The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, a resident company, has called off its double bill “Bliss & Jakie,” initially planned for two performances on March 21st, and has added an extra performance at 2 p.m. on March 22nd. Performances of the musical “Anna Karenina” and the play “The Wasp” have also been canceled.

BTS is scheduled to release their fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” on March 20th, followed by a highly anticipated live comeback concert at Gwanghwamun Square the following evening.

According to organizers, BTS is expected to perform with Gyeongbokgung Palace serving as a stunning backdrop. The group will proceed past Gwanghwamun Gate and the Woldae platform before taking the stage set up on the northern end of the square, where they will perform new tracks and their popular hits for approximately one hour.

The concert will be livestreamed globally via Netflix, allowing fans worldwide to experience the historic event.

Police estimate that approximately 230,000 people could gather in the area stretching from the main stage to Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, and potentially up to 260,000 extending as far as Sungnyemun Gate, where a media facade event featuring LED projections is planned.

Given the event’s setting against the backdrop of major national heritage landmarks, authorities emphasize that they will take special precautions to guarantee the safety of both attendees and the preservation of these significant cultural properties. This includes crowd control measures, security personnel deployment, and constant monitoring of the historical sites.

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