In this file photo, a fan takes a photo of the stairs at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul on January 6, 2026. The steps are decorated to promote K-pop juggernaut BTS, which is set to return with its fifth studio album in March. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul metropolitan government said Thursday it has granted conditional approval for a major BTS comeback performance scheduled for March at Gwanghwamun Square, setting the stage for one of the city’s largest cultural events in recent years.
The decision was made during the city’s first Gwanghwamun Square advisory committee meeting of 2026, following an application by Hybe and its music label Big Hit Music to host the event, titled “BTS 2026 Comeback Show @ Seoul,” on March 21.
City officials said final authorization will be issued once the organizers secure approval of a comprehensive safety management plan, including measures to prevent congestion during audience entry and exit and to minimize traffic disruption in central Seoul.
Given expectations of massive crowds converging on the historic plaza, the city said it would coordinate closely with police, district offices and other relevant agencies to prioritize public safety. Authorities also plan advance inspections to prevent unfair commercial practices, including excessive hotel price increases, in nearby Jongno and Jung districts.
The concert will mark BTS’s first full-group performance in three years and nine months and will take place the day after the release of the group’s fifth full-length album, “Arirang.” Officials and industry observers expect tens of thousands of fans — including large numbers of overseas visitors — to travel to Seoul for the event.
Hybe has reportedly proposed a live audience of about 18,000 at Gwanghwamun Square, with a separate event for up to 30,000 people at Seoul Plaza. City officials said overall attendance across surrounding areas could reach 100,000.
BTS Returns With Global Tour Spanning 34 Cities and 79 Shows (Image courtesy of Big Hit Music)
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok underscored the symbolic weight of the venue, saying at a recent meeting at Hybe headquarters that a comeback performance at Gwanghwamun — a site closely associated with civic gatherings — carried “deep historical meaning” for the group and its fans.
To accommodate visitors, the Seoul government plans to operate fan experience programs and citywide cultural events tied to BTS’s return, aiming to combine K-pop with broader Korean cultural content.
“We will place the highest priority on safety while ensuring that citizens and tourists can fully enjoy the event,” said Kim Chang-kyu, head of Seoul’s balanced development office. “Our goal is to make Gwanghwamun Square a global landmark for K-pop and cultural exchange.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
