BTS comeback performance in Seoul expected to draw 260,000 attendees

BTS performs during the group’s “Permission to Dance on Stage” concert at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Nov. 28, 2021. [BIGHIT MUSIC]

 

Some 260,000 people are expected to gather at central Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square to witness BTS make a comeback for the first time in three and a half years on March 21. Authorities are on high alert as the city prepares for what could be the largest cultural event in years.

 

The anticipated 260,000 headcount is no small number. Antigovernment rallies in 2016 for the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye were estimated to have reached 260,000 people by police.

 


 

As downtown Seoul is poised to turn into a massive outdoor venue, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has begun tightening safety controls. Seoul plans to hold a review meeting on Tuesday to finalize an overall safety plan for event operations, the city announced Monday.

  

A Seoul representative noted that the city has already held advanced consultations with HYBE on measures ranging from crowd control to traffic restrictions, adding that additional gaps will be addressed as preparations continue.

 

The main stage is expected to be installed on the northern side of Gwanghwamun Square, according to the city. About 27,000 seats will be set up from the square to Taepyeong-ro near Seoul Plaza, including about 14,000 seats — with standing sections included — across Gwanghwamun Square and Sejong-daero, and another 13,000 in the Taepyeong-ro area.

 

Route expected to be taken by BTS on March 21 when the group holds a comeback performance in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul. [YONHAP]

 

With a large crowd anticipated, Seoul has secured 894 public restrooms in the vicinity, along with mobile toilets to be provided by HYBE and district offices. Seoul Metro is also considering having trains pass through without stopping at three nearby subway stations — Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung and City Hall — depending on crowd conditions.  

 

The city plans to establish a crisis response team at the Seoul Museum of History and conduct on-site monitoring with related agencies on the day of the concert.

 

Seoul will launch a BTS concert traffic and safety information website on March 11, where visitors can check traffic control sections as well as the locations of restrooms and on-site medical clinics. Maps for overseas visitors will be available in four languages: Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.

 

A tourist takes a photo of a promotional event announcing boy band BTS’s new music and concerts in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Jan. 22, 2026. [YONHAP]

 

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to hold a crowd safety meeting on March 11, chaired by Minister Yun Ho-jung, bringing together Seoul City, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, among others.

 

A joint public-private safety inspection team will also operate March 19 and 20 to review emergency response, traffic management and facility safety, with Yun planning to conduct an on-site inspection on the day of the event.

 

Concerns have also emerged that some fans may camp out overnight around Gwanghwamun to secure better viewing spots. Police plan to strengthen deployments and patrols in advance, but note that legally forcing people to disperse is difficult. Police and Seoul City are discussing administrative guidance measures to curb excessive illegal occupation of public space.

 

A Seoul representative indicated that field managers, including local governments and police, will coordinate detailed responses by zone.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY HAN EUN-HWA [[email protected]]