BTS comeback mania: What’s happening in South Korea ahead of the massive Seoul concert?

Global K-pop group BTS is preparing for a major return to the stage, and organisers have expanded the capacity of the comeback concert venue at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to accommodate overwhelming fan demand.

According to the group’s agency BigHit Music, additional standing tickets will be released through the NOL Ticket platform starting Thursday. Although the agency has not disclosed the exact number of new tickets, the venue capacity has increased from 15,000 to approximately 22,000 attendees, allowing around 7,000 more fans to attend the event.

The newly expanded standing zones will stretch from the Gwanghwamun intersection toward the City Hall subway station. To ensure fans in the extended areas can still enjoy the performance, large LED screens will be installed throughout the venue.

Organisers said the expansion was planned with strict safety and crowd management measures in mind. Authorities will also monitor illegal ticket resales and strengthen identity verification processes to prevent scalping and unauthorised entry.

The comeback concert is scheduled for March 21, 2026, and preparations have intensified across the city. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has held multiple inspection meetings to review readiness for the large-scale event expected to draw thousands of fans from around the world.

Oh Se-hoon chaired a preparation meeting earlier this month to assess the city’s readiness, and officials from several departments have been coordinating weekly to ensure security and crowd control measures are in place.

Authorities expect that up to 260,000 people could gather around the Gwanghwamun area during the concert. Around 4,800 police personnel, including mobile units and local officers, will be deployed to manage the crowds and maintain safety. Special police teams will also be stationed nearby to respond to potential threats such as vehicle incidents or other emergencies.

The group will reportedly hold rehearsals at a separate location instead of the open concert venue. The move is intended to prevent spoilers about the set list, including new songs, and to avoid safety issues caused by large crowds gathering during rehearsals.

The concert marks a historic moment for BTS as the members reunite as a full group after nearly four years. During that time, each member completed South Korea’s mandatory military service, making the upcoming performances highly anticipated by fans worldwide.

The event will also kick off the band’s new global tour, ARIRANG, which will include 82 shows across 34 cities. The title draws inspiration from the traditional Korean folk song “Arirang,” symbolising themes of longing, separation and reunion — reflecting the group’s journey and their enduring connection with fans known as ARMY.

Ahead of the concert, BTS is also set to release its fifth studio album titled Arirang on March 20, just one day before the Seoul performance, further heightening excitement among fans globally.