- Seoul police have initiated investigations into three criminal charges related to BTS concert ticket scams utilizing macro-based proxy bookings and false web postings.
- Authorities intend to deploy some 4,800 officers to secure the BTS concert on March 21 at Gwanghwamun Square, which is expected to attract up to 260,000 people.
- Seoul officials discovered lodging breaches at 18 hotels near the venue as occupancy rates increased ahead of the BTS comeback event.
Seoul officials are beefing up security and market monitoring ahead of BTS's much-anticipated homecoming performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21. As the city prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans, authorities have initiated criminal investigations into ticket scams and tightened controls on neighboring hotels.
Police Probe Ticket Scams Ahead of BTS Gwanghwamun Concert
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated on Monday (March 9, 2026) that three suspected criminal cases involving BTS concert tickets are being investigated, after a request from ticketing organizer NOL Universe to look into alleged automated "macro" programs used during the online reservation process. According to investigators, criminals use macros to advertise proxy ticket purchases while stealing fans' personal information or taking payments for tickets they never had.
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, victims reported transferring around ₩ 150,000 to ₩ 300,000 (~ $100 to $200 USD) for assured tickets that were never received by them. Additionally, police monitoring also discovered over 110 suspicious online posts, including proxy purchases, false ticket listings, and high-priced resales, leading to requests to have those posts removed or prohibited.
To accommodate the enormous demand that depleted initial reservations in January, BigHit Music will increase the capacity of the comeback event from 15,000 to 22,000, with 7,000 more standing spaces. These spaces will go on sale this Thursday (Mar 12, 2026) through NOL Ticket. Nevertheless, municipal officials are making arrangements for a total influx of 260,000 people into central Seoul encompassing areas beyond the specified viewing zone, resulting in a major safety effort involving 4,800 personnel. This deployment, which includes riot forces and specialized response teams, will carry out thorough inspections to reduce dangers ranging from vehicle and knife attacks to larger acts of terrorism.
The concert will be BTS' first full-group act in nearly four years, featuring songs from the band's fifth studio album Arirang, which will be released a day earlier on March 20. The Gwanghwamun Square performance will be webcasted globally on Netflix to viewers in over 190 countries. Notably, the trailer for the live BTS Netflix show is already released and is titled as BTS The Comeback Live | ARIRANG.
Seoul Cracks Down on Hotel Price Gouging Near BTS Concert Venue
In addition to exposing ticket scams, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun inspecting hotel facilities near the venue to stop price gouging. According to South Korean media platforms such as Korea Herald and The Chosun Daily, out of 83 hotels investigated in Jongno-gu and Jung-gu, 18 (22%) were found to violate lodging laws, largely for failing to display obligatory price lists or company registration certificates.
Offenders who are not following these rules which fall under Korea's Public Health Control Act, can risk up to six months in prison or a fine of ₩ 5 million (~ $3,400). The government may also seek administrative penalties, like company suspensions, against such violators.
Prior to the event, there has been a significant increase in demand for accommodations, especially in Seoul and Busan. According to booking platform data published by city officials, reservations in the area around Gwanghwamun Square for March 20-21 have increased by 5.5 times compared to the same period last year. On the other hand, all five-star hotels within a one-kilometer radius of the event place are now fully occupied.
BTS during their Permission to Dance on Stage concert (Credit: Disney/HYBE)
To address such high pricing, officials are now taking public whistleblower reports on unlawful lodging activities via their civic complaint portal and the "Seoul Smart Complaint Reporting" app. Reportedly, rewards of up to ₩ 200M (~ $136,000) will be awarded to people who report confirmed cases.
This clampdown reflects the overwhelming demand for BTS' return. Stakeholders anticipate that the event will boost tourism, lodging demand, and global streaming metrics through virtual initiatives. As the group releases its new album, Arirang, and resumes full-group operations, the event is positioned as both a huge cultural event and an essential revenue generator for the city and the country alike.
