On June 12, HYBE posted a statement on fan community platform Weverse, expressing regret for fans who attended the “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN.” The agency acknowledged that the late start of the concert caused significant inconvenience to spectators.
“We sincerely apologize for the significant inconvenience caused to all those who attended due to the delay in the start of the show BTS “ARIRANG” WORLD TOUR IN BUSAN“,” HYBE said.
According to the company, despite extensive preparations to ensure a meaningful fan experience, several operational issues arose at the venue. Confusion over on-site directions, bottlenecks in fan gift distribution lines and delays in merchandise pickup collectively contributed to the concert’s delayed start time. HYBE also assured fans that it would carefully review and improve all venue operations, including entry procedures and gift distribution systems, to prevent similar issues during the next day’s show.
BTS holds “BTS “ARIRANG” WORLD TOUR IN BUSAN” on June 12 and 13 at the iconic Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The concerts have special meaning for both the group and fans. Busan has previously hosted “BTS “yet to come” in BUSAN,” the group’s concert in support of the 2030 World Expo bid, which became the group BTS’s last performance before the members began their military enlistment.
The location is also significant as it is the hometown of BTS members Jimin and Jungkook. Additionally, the June 13 show coincides with the anniversary of BTS’s debut, making the event even more symbolic for ARMYs around the world.
Despite the excitement surrounding the reunion concert, the first-night event faced unexpected setbacks. The concert, originally scheduled to begin at 7 PM KST on June 12, did not begin until 8:15 PM, resulting in a delay of one hour and fifteen minutes. As the scheduled start time passed, numerous fans took to social media and online communities to share their frustrations. Many reported that they had not even entered the venue by 7pm due to long lines and crowd congestion. The incident quickly became a major topic among concert attendees, prompting HYBE to issue a public apology shortly thereafter.
The Busan concert generated controversy beyond the venue itself. Prior to the event, some local accommodations had reportedly faced criticism for dramatically increasing room prices. Others have been accused of canceling existing reservations and relisting the same rooms at significantly higher rates to capitalize on the influx of BTS fans visiting the city.
In response, several local universities have opened affordable lodging options for visitors. Religious organizations, including temples and major churches, also offered accommodation spaces as part of a community-led initiative known as the “Fair Accommodation Challenge,” which aimed to provide reasonable accommodation options for travelers attending the concert.
Full statement from HYBE
“Hi, I’m HYBE.
We sincerely apologize for the significant inconvenience caused by the late start BTS “ARIRANG” WORLD TOUR IN BUSAN on June 12th.
We have prepared extensively to provide audiences with a meaningful experience. However, confusion over on-site directions, bottlenecks distributing fan gifts and delays in collecting merchandise combined to delay the start of the main show.
We once again sincerely apologize to all audience members who experienced disappointment and inconvenience after waiting for a long time before the concert.
For the show scheduled the next day, we will carefully inspect and improve all aspects of the venue’s operations, including admission procedures and gift distribution, to prevent similar congestion.
For questions regarding the concert, please contact the NOL Ticket Customer Center.
Thank you.”
Sources: Nate News
