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Busan changes free concert venue after BTS fans worried of it turning into an 'Astroworld Tragedy'

Busan was previously slammed for unsafe logistics as they announced a free BTS concert with 100k audience

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA: While in theory, a free BTS concert sounds like the dream, in reality, it has been a mess. With Busan hotels hiking up their prices, a rural and inaccessible venue, land prices going up, access to only one gate at the original concert venue, the possibility of a stampede like that of the ‘Astroworld tragedy’ and the sudden Covid-19 outbreak in South Korea, many are slamming the Busan Mayor about the consequences of a free BTS concert and asking for it to be canceled. Well, instead of canceling, Busan has tried to find a solution.

On September 2, following the backlash from fans regarding the free Busan BTS concert, BTS’ label BigHit shared that they would be changing the venue. With BTS transcending K-pop and becoming one of the biggest music groups in the world, they have fans worldwide who flock to attend the concerts. The four LA concerts in late 2021 alone grossed $33 million as 214k people paid to attend the ‘Permission to Dance Concert’. And so, with Busan announcing a free concert of BTS, the internet erupted with international fans looking up flight tickets and hotel bookings.

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Busan changes free concert venue

With even the previous South Korean president acknowledging BTS’ importance in elevating their country’s global status culturally and financially, the K-pop superstars are being assigned more responsibilities from speaking at United Nations to becoming cultural ambassadors. Well, BTS was recently made the ambassador for the Busan World Expo 2030. In order to promote their bid of holding the World Expo 2030 in Busan, BTS will be holding a free concert.

The BTS World Expo 2030 Busan Korea concert was supposed to be held at the Ilgwang Special Stage with an audience of 100k people. However, with inaccessibility to the remote location and the potential of a disaster that could very well repeat the infamous ‘Astroworld tragedy’, the venue has been changed. The free concert will still be held in Busan but at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium with a 53k seating capacity.

They shared that they wanted a festival experience and to promote their culture to non-BTS and K-pop fans as well. The label added, “Our decision to change the location of the concert was made in an effort to ensure that the focus remains on the performance’s main purpose, which is to promote the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo. Our top priority is…for the audience to have a smooth, enjoyable and accessible viewing experience.” The Busan concert will also be live-streamed at the city’s Port International Passenger Terminal Outdoor Parking Lot as well as online for the whole world to participate.

'Glad they changed it'

One fan had tweeted, “They are literally doing it for safety reasons. This could turn out to be AstroWorld but BTS version.” Another fan added, “Glad they changed it bc the conditions were just unsafe and the whole set up was bizarre from the beginning, hopefully with the new change k-armys can enjoy more comfortably. also glad they heard concerns and put that into consideration.”

Another fan wondered, “Very interesting. I wonder if Hybe saw the uproar caused by the original venue choice and had to scramble to fix it. Because the original venue was a joke.” One fan added, “I'm happy that karmys called the gov out cuz the way they're handling this and blaming everything on hybe is just... anyways safety always comes first so anyone who is going please stay safe and enjoy!” Another wished, “I hope the October concert will be safe and not like the Astroworld festival in Texas last year.”

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