By Shim Sun-ah
“We are truly grateful that BTS has chosen this iconic landmark as the site of its first concert to mark its comeback after a long hiatus,” Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Chae Hwi-young said during a press conference in Seoul to mark his six months in office.
Authorities are preparing meticulously to ensure the event goes smoothly, making it a chance to “showcase the essence of our country to the world,” the minister added.
The K-pop septet is set to hold a free concert on March 21 to mark the release of its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” named after Korea’s most famous folk song.
BigHit Music, the band’s agency, has stated that the iconic landmark in the heart of Seoul was selected because it matches the symbolic weight the title carries. The performance is expected to dramatically fuse Korean traditional heritage with state-of-the-art stage production.
Chae also vowed strict action against ticket scalping, saying the government would “do its utmost to prevent any unpleasant situations.”
“We are closely monitoring the issue,” he noted, though he declined to specify measures so as not to tip off scalpers.
Police estimate as many as 260,000 fans could gather in and around Gwanghwamun Square, although the concert venue itself will accommodate only about 15,000 ticket holders. The concert will also be streamed live on Netflix to more than 190 countries, giving global viewers a glimpse of Korea’s cultural heritage alongside the group’s performance.
Separately, Chae said the ministry is examining ways to introduce a “movie theater subscription pass” system as a potential remedy to the challenges facing the domestic film industry. The plan would allow audiences to watch multiple films in theaters for a fixed fee.
“The idea stems from the expectation that if people visit theaters even once, they will be more likely to return later,” he said. “We are seeking to design various programs that can attract people back to cinemas.”
