Overseas BTS fans praise police, raise safety concerns

Mar 22, 2026, 08:47 am

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BTS fans wave light sticks while watching the concert on a screen set up near Seoul City Hall along Sejong-daero on March 21. / Lee Ha-eun

Overseas fans attending BTS’s comeback concert praised the strong police presence but voiced concerns over pedestrian safety as crowded sidewalks contrasted with empty roadways in central Seoul.

On March 21, Gwanghwamun Square was filled with excitement as BTS held its “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” concert to celebrate the release of its fifth full-length album. Despite tight security measures, fans from around the world gathered, waving light sticks and enjoying the performance in one of Korea’s most iconic locations.

At around 7:50 p.m., police began restricting access to the main venue. Citizens, fans, and tourists gathered around large outdoor screens to watch the concert together. Screens installed near Seoul City Hall, including areas around Deoksugung’s Daehanmun Gate and the Plaza Hotel, drew large crowds as the performance began.

According to organizers, about 104,000 people attended the broader area, while Seoul’s real-time data estimated around 45,000. The entire Gwanghwamun district was effectively transformed into a BTS-themed celebration.

A fan from Mexico said, “I didn’t have a ticket, but I could watch the concert for free on a nearby screen. I was surprised by how developed Korea is, and I was impressed by how hard the police worked to maintain security.”

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Police officers line up along Saemunan-ro in Seoul on March 21. / Lee Ha-eun

Two fans in their 20s from France also said, “We didn’t have tickets, but we were able to watch near City Hall for free. We heard the controls were strict, but since we arrived around 6 p.m., we didn’t have trouble moving around.”

After parts of the rear area were opened during the show, fans gathered together in front of the screens, clapping and enjoying the concert in a festive atmosphere. Even after the event ended, crowds near City Hall continued singing, dancing, and sharing their excitement while heading home.

A woman in her 20s from Busan said, “I came to Seoul with a ticket to see the concert. I had been waiting for more than three years for the full group comeback, and I really enjoyed the performance.”

However, some pedestrians and attendees expressed frustration over strict crowd control measures. About 7,000 police officers, along with city officials and event staff totaling around 15,500 personnel, managed pedestrian flows, forcing people toward Jonggak and Seodaemun stations.

Despite roads being closed to traffic, pedestrians were directed to use only sidewalks, increasing crowd density and raising safety concerns in bottleneck areas. Some people complained about having to take long detours, as crossings were restricted.

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After the BTS comeback concert ended on March 21, citizens and attendees exit toward Seoul Station along sidewalks. Despite roads being closed, pedestrians were directed only onto sidewalks. / Lee Ha-eun

A police officer stationed on Saemunan-ro said, “Although roads are closed to vehicles, there is a risk of large crowds gathering. We are asking pedestrians to keep right and cross only at designated signals. We understand there are many complaints, but we ask for cooperation for safety.”

Criticism also emerged from some citizens, who argued that public spaces were overly restricted. One elderly attendee said, “Safety is important, but this feels excessive. How are people supposed to move if everything is blocked?”

While the event showcased BTS’s global appeal and drew praise for security efforts, it also highlighted ongoing challenges in managing large crowds in urban public spaces.

#BTS #Gwanghwamun #overseas fans #police control #crowd management