The “BTS Effect” is hitting Busan hard, with local accommodation prices surging to astronomical levels ahead of the group’s highly anticipated concert this summer.
Big Hit Music announced that BTS will kick off a massive world tour this year, performing 79 shows across 34 cities. The tour begins in April at the Goyang Sports Complex.
[공지] BTS (방탄소년단) WORLD TOUR IN NORTH AMERICA & EUROPE 예매 안내 (+ENG)
🔗 https://t.co/zLukfWdIel#방탄소년단 #BTS #BTS_WORLDTOUR#BTS_WORLDTOUR_NA #BTS_WORLDTOUR_EUROPE pic.twitter.com/AQIVOXdGdP
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) January 13, 2026
However, it is the Busan dates—June 12th and 13th—that are causing a frenzy. June 13th marks the group’s debut anniversary, and Busan holds special significance as the hometown of members Jimin and Jungkook.
Sold Out in Hours
As soon as the dates were announced, a booking war erupted. Online reservations for hotels in major tourist hotspots like Haeundae reportedly sold out within 4 to 5 hours.
Price Gouging Allegations
Prices have followed with demand through the roof. According to reports, some rooms that typically cost around 90,000 won ($61) have skyrocketed to 900,000 won ($611) during the concert period. In extreme cases, fees have reached as high as 1.5 million won ($1,019) per night.
Social media is also flooded with complaints from fans alleging that hotels are cancelling their existing reservations, presumably to re-list the rooms at these inflated rates.
This isn’t the first time Busan has faced this issue. During BTS’s 2022 concert to support the World Expo bid, the city saw a similar scandal, with one facility attempting to charge 30 times its usual rate. At the time, the city government had to intervene with inspections and a reporting center.
New Album Coming
BTS will release their 5th full-length album on March 20th, before hitting the road. This marks their first album in nearly four years, featuring 14 tracks that promise to showcase the group’s “honest inner selves.”
>> BTS Is Back on the Road: Massive World Tour Kicks Off in April
Want to know which K-dramas are trending? Watch them for free on Amasian TV! Now streaming on Channel 250 (U.S.) and Channel 263 (Canada) via lgchannels.com, or anytime on OnDemandKorea.
Source (1)
