BTS Set to Perform in Busan Mentions ‘Fair Prices, Please’ Over Lodging Price Gouging

The group BTS, which is scheduled to hold a solo concert in Busan in June, directly addressed the "price gouging" by some accommodations that are trying to charge abnormally high rates by taking advantage of overwhelming reservation demand.

BTS held a Weverse Live after winning a total of three awards, including "Artist of the Year," at the American Music Awards (AMAs) held in Las Vegas, USA, on the 25th (local time).

At that time, leader RM said, "I really wanted to take this opportunity to say something I have been wanting to say. A lot of news has been coming out about those accommodations in Busan, actually," and Jimin agreed, saying, "Ah, that makes me feel a little bad." When RM said, "I hope they don't do that," Jungkook replied, "That's really over the top."

When RM said, "I think we really need to look at the bigger picture," Jungkook once again said, "It's really over the top." Suga said, "Busan has such a good tourist atmosphere these days," and RM expressed his disappointment, saying, "It's really becoming like a very hip ~ Miami of Korea, kind of that vibe."

Jimin said, "I just hope that when people come, they leave with only good memories," and RM lamented, "Even if we want to solve this problem, we can't really solve it ourselves." In response to RM's request, "For the members from Busan to say something," Jungkook made everyone laugh by saying, "Enough already (stop it)," and "Hey, enough already."

Even taking into account the difference between peak and off-peak season rates, they all agreed that the current price gouging is severe. Jimin said, "Ah, that's way too much," and RM emphasized, "Hey, let's all be reasonable. Really, let's all be reasonable." Jimin also said, "That's right. You really need to keep it reasonable," and RM repeatedly added, "Don't do that, seriously."

Listening from the side, Jin said, "Namjoon (RM's real name), why don't you run an accommodation business in Busan?" and Jimin laughed, saying, "That'd be nice." When Jin joked, "Each of you choose a region and run one accommodation place," V added to the joke while looking at RM, saying, "But honestly, hyung, you could buy a hotel."

Earlier this year, an investigation by the Fair Trade Commission revealed that during the concert period, accommodation rates in Busan ahead of BTS's June performance rose by an average of 2.4 times and by as much as 7.5 times compared with before. As the performance date approached, the scale of the increases grew larger, and criticism intensified as there were cases of damage in which accommodations canceled reservations that had already been properly made.

Meanwhile, BTS will hold a concert for their new world tour, "Arirang," at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12-13.

CBS No Cut News reporter Kim Sujeong [email protected]