Ahead of BTS’ comeback, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched a comprehensive response plan to prepare for a massive global crowd. With central Seoul expected to become a gathering point for fans from around the world this March, the city aims to address both crowd safety management and tourism order at the same time.
On February 4th KST, Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon held a “BTS Comeback Event Status Review Meeting” at City Hall to discuss response measures centered on ensuring citizen safety and welcoming overseas visitors. BTS will hold a comeback live performance at 8 PM on March 21st at Gwanghwamun Square to commemorate the release of their 5th full-length album.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects tens of thousands of people to gather around Gwanghwamun on the day of the performance and has prepared crowd control measures covering the entire event process. The venue area will be subdivided to minimize blind spots in management, and the organizers have been asked to increase safety personnel in proportion to the expected crowd size. The city plans to extend its management scope beyond the performance venue to surrounding areas to prevent accidents.
Crowd monitoring will be strengthened through the city’s Disaster and Safety Situation Room. Real-time urban data and CCTV will be used to continuously check crowd density, and an immediate response system will be activated if signs of danger are detected. Before and after the performance, bottleneck routes will be managed to guide the sequential entry and exit of spectators, while preventing crowd surges during the show will be a key focus.
Emergency response systems have also been included. Firefighters, emergency personnel, and vehicles will be deployed in advance, and emergency routes will be secured for use in urgent situations. To ease traffic congestion, transportation measures such as non-stop subway operations and bus route detours due to road controls will also be implemented.
In addition to safety management, the city is focusing on establishing tourism order. Joint inspections with district offices will be conducted to prevent overcharging and unfair practices targeting foreign tourists. Authorities will intensively crack down on issues such as proper lodging price postings and unfair practices that induce reservation cancellations. Field inspections using “mystery shoppers” will also be carried out in traditional markets and densely visited tourist areas.
Citywide cultural events tied to BTS’ comeback will also take place across Seoul. Before and after the performance, street performances and participatory events for the global fandom ARMY will be held at major hubs such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul Plaza, and Hangang Park. Cultural experience programs linked with nearby commercial districts, including traditional markets, as well as tourism content utilizing the Hangang River Bus, are also being prepared.
Mayor Oh Se Hoon stated, “BTS’ comeback performance is an opportunity for Seoul to once again showcase its appeal as a global cultural capital. We will comprehensively manage crowd control, tourism order, and entertainment elements so that overseas visitors have a safe and pleasant experience, while citizens can enjoy a festival that harmonizes with daily life.”
The Gwanghwamun Square performance will be broadcast live to over 190 countries worldwide via Netflix. This marks the first time a major event held in Korea will be livestreamed globally in real time through Netflix.
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