BTS’s much-anticipated “ARIRANG” concert in Busan hit an unexpected setback after severe crowd congestion delayed the show by over an hour, prompting HYBE to issue a formal apology to thousands of disappointed fans.
The concert, held at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Friday, was scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. but did not start until approximately 8:15 p.m., as severe congestion and operational disruptions slowed the entry process for nearly 50,000 attendees.
Fans, many of whom had traveled long distances to attend the concert, were left waiting in extended queues under warm early-summer temperatures of around 28°C, while confusion surrounding entrance routes, fan gift collection, and merchandise pickup reportedly worsened crowd management issues.
Following mounting complaints online, HYBE issued an official statement through Weverse and its social media platforms, offering a public apology to fans for the disruption.
“We sincerely apologize to all audience members who experienced significant inconvenience due to the delayed start of the performance,” the company said, acknowledging shortcomings in on-site coordination.
HYBE explained that despite extensive preparations for the concert, a combination of confusion in venue guidance, bottlenecks in fan gift distribution, and delays in merchandise collection resulted in unexpected overcrowding and delayed admissions.
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The agency further pledged to carry out a full review of its event operations, promising immediate improvements ahead of the second concert scheduled in Busan. HYBE said measures would be taken to strengthen crowd flow, entry systems, and overall site management to avoid a repeat of the disruption.
The Busan concerts carry deep significance for both BTS and ARMY, as the performances coincide with the group’s 13th debut anniversary and mark their return to a venue that previously hosted one of their final large-scale concerts before military enlistments began.
Despite the disappointing delay, the atmosphere inside the stadium shifted once the performance began, with BTS delivering an emotionally charged show that reignited excitement among fans.
At the same time, Busan transformed into a citywide BTS celebration through “BTS THE CITY ARIRANG – BUSAN,” featuring large-scale media displays and a drone light show at Gwangalli Beach, adding to the festival-like atmosphere surrounding the group’s return.
Adding another wave of excitement for fans worldwide, BTS’s newly released track “Come Over” continued its global success, topping the iTunes Top Songs chart in 79 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Japan, less than a day after release.
While HYBE’s apology acknowledged the disappointment felt by many fans, expectations remain high for the second night of the concert, with the agency under pressure to deliver a smoother and more organized experience.
