BTS fans are expressing growing frustration ahead of the group’s upcoming concert in Busan after hotel prices across the city reportedly skyrocketed to extreme levels.
BTS is expected to hold a major concert at Busan Asiad Stadium in Yeonje District in mid-June, according to Korean media reports, triggering a sharp increase in demand for housing across the city.
However, many fans claim that hotel prices have increased well beyond normal seasonal increases.
A hotel in the popular Seomyeon area has reportedly listed rooms for June 12 at around 745,000 won, more than four times higher than usual rates. Another hotel in Yangjeong-dong reportedly increased prices nearly tenfold, from around 50,000 won to over 557,000 won during the concert period.
The issue has sparked an intense reaction among national and international ARMIES.
In fan communities and social media platforms, many BTS fans have announced their intention to avoid spending money in Busan outside of concert necessities.
Some fans said they would return home immediately after the concert instead of staying overnight, while others said they chose accommodations in nearby cities such as Gimhae to reduce costs.
Comments like “I’ll just watch the concert and leave immediately,” AND “I bring my own food and drinks so I don’t spend extra money in Busan” have spread widely online.
Several fans also criticized what they described as “taking advantage” of BTS fans and international tourists for short-term profits.
According to previous investigations by the Fair Trade Commission of South Korea, accommodation prices in Busan during major BTS-related events have historically increased by an average of 2.4 times compared to normal. Some smaller accommodations have reportedly increased prices by more than three times.
In response to growing criticism, Busan city authorities reportedly formed inspection teams to monitor accommodation facilities. However, many critics argue that current regulations remain weak because local governments lack the legal authority to directly punish hotels that openly display inflated prices.
Amid the controversy, several local organizations and Buddhist temples have stepped in to help international fans.
Beomeosa Temple announced plans to provide free accommodation and food to approximately 20 foreign visitors during the concert period. Other temples, including Seonamsa and Hongbeopsa, have also reportedly joined programs to support foreign fans with temporary accommodation.
Meanwhile, public accommodations and city-run hotels reportedly sold out early because they maintained relatively stable prices compared to private businesses.
Despite these efforts, many fans believe Busan risks damaging its image among international tourists if extreme price increases continue.
Given BTS’s enormous global influence, the upcoming concert was originally expected to become a major boost for Busan’s tourism industry and local economy. Instead, the situation has now evolved into one of the biggest fan controversies surrounding the event before it had even begun.
