It’s just like it was four years ago…Controversy over inflated accommodations during the BTS concert in Busan…Fans furious

In the lead-up to the BTS concert in Busan, excessive price increases at some accommodations have become controversial.

Recently, the Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency jointly investigated the lodging rates for the BTS performance period in June at 135 accommodations in the Busan area (52 hotels, 39 motels, and 44 pensions) and announced the results.

The survey found that the average one-night lodging rate for the weekend when the performance was scheduled was as much as 2.4 times higher than the previous or following weekend. By accommodation type, motel rates during the performance week rose the most, climbing to nearly 3.3 times the usual level, while hotel rates also increased significantly to about 2.9 times those of the previous and following weeks. In the case of pensions, rates during the performance week were only about 1.2 times the usual level, so the increase was relatively modest.

On social media, cases were shared of accommodations that could normally be booked for around 600,000 won per night rising to 7.6 million won during the performance period, and reports continued of existing reservations being canceled. In some cases, rooms booked months in advance were canceled and the same rooms were then being rebooked at much higher prices.

This is not the first time. When BTS held a concert in 2022 to support Busan's bid to host the Expo, lodging prices in the Busan area also skyrocketed and drew strong criticism.

Although Busan City has begun inspections ahead of the performance to root out price gouging by lodging businesses, the reality is that there are limits because it is not easy for administrative authorities to restrict market prices.

In response, BTS fans have been saying things like, "We'll just go for a day trip, watch the concert, and come back," "We won't spend money in Busan," and "Do they think fans are suckers?"

Meanwhile, BTS will hold "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN BUSAN" on June 12-13 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. During the same period, they will also carry out "The City," a project that fills the entire city with BTS's music and narrative alongside "BTS WORLD TOUR 'ARIRANG' IN BUSAN."