Controversy is brewing over excessive price hikes at some accommodations ahead of the upcoming BTS concert in Busan.
The Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency recently conducted a survey of 135 accommodations in the Busan area (52 hotels, 39 motels, and 44 pensions) to investigate lodging rates during the BTS performance period in June.
The results revealed that the average one-night stay during the concert weekend is 2.4 times higher than the previous or following week. Motels saw the highest increase, with rates nearly 3.3 times higher than usual, while hotel rates jumped to 2.9 times. Pensions saw a relatively smaller increase, with rates about 1.2 times higher than normal.
On social media, cases are being shared where rooms usually available for around 60,000 won have surged to 760,000 won. There are also reports of existing reservations being canceled, only for the same rooms to be relisted at much higher prices.
This isn’t the first time this has happened. Similar price spikes occurred during the 2022 concert held to support Busan’s bid for the World Expo, which also drew heavy criticism.
Although the city of Busan has launched inspections to eradicate price gouging, the reality is that administrative agencies face limitations in restricting market prices.
In response, BTS fans are expressing their frustration, saying things like, “I’ll just go for the day and come back,” “I won’t spend any money in Busan,” and “Do they think fans are pushovers?”
Meanwhile, BTS will hold ‘BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN’ on June 12 and 13 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium. During the same period, they will also launch ‘The City’ project, filling the entire city with BTS’s music and narrative.
