BTS Members' Concerns Become Reality as Tourism Complaints Surge Ahead of Busan Concert

As ARMY fans from all over the world flock to South Korea ahead of BTS's upcoming concert in Busan, tourist complaints in the Busan area have reportedly surged.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization's (KTO) Korea Tourism Data Lab on June 10, a total of 368 tourist complaints were filed nationwide in May. Among these, 185 complaints were registered in Busan, accounting for 50.3% of the national total. This figure represents 77.4% of the 239 total complaints received in Busan during the entire previous year.

Accommodation-related grievances were overwhelmingly the most common. Among the complaints filed in Busan last month, issues regarding general accommodations were the highest at 133 cases, while hotel-related complaints reached 21 cases. The main issues reported included unilateral reservation cancellations, excessive cancellation fees, and dissatisfaction with service.

The sudden spike in tourism complaints in Busan is being linked to the upcoming BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN BUSAN, scheduled for June 12–13. Following the announcement of the concert, a wave of complaints emerged, accusing some lodging businesses of unilaterally canceling existing reservations to resell the rooms at inflated prices, or raising accommodation rates by several times—and in some cases, up to ten times—their usual rates.

In fact, a recent controversy went viral when a Japanese BTS fan inquired about check-in procedures at a lodging facility in Busan, only to receive a response filled with profanity followed by a unilateral cancellation of their booking. The fan expressed their frustration on social media, writing, "Even after using a translator, the content was hard to believe." The Busan Metropolitan Government has reportedly launched an investigation to verify the facts of the incident.

Previously, BTS members themselves had expressed concern over this very issue. BTS addressed the accommodation controversy surrounding their Busan concert during a live broadcast following their win at the American Music Awards (AMAs) last month.

During the broadcast, RM shared his concerns, saying, "I've heard a lot of talk about the accommodation issues, and I really hope people don't do that." He added, "I want our fans to come to Busan and leave with only good memories. I understand peak and off-peak seasons, but there should be a limit. Let's not do this to one another as fellow Koreans."

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)