Tourism Complaints in Busan Surge Ahead of BTS Concert... 84% Filed by Foreigners

185 Tourism-Related Complaints Filed in Busan in May Alone

In the lead-up to the 'BTS World Tour Arirang IN Busan', there was a sharp increase in reports of tourism-related inconveniences received in Busan last month. There have been repeated complaints, especially from foreign tourists, about excessive food prices and unfair penalty charges by accommodation providers. As such cases continue to emerge, there are calls for measures to prevent further harm.

Came to Busan for BTS... Surge in Complaints from Foreign Tourists

Ahead of BTS's Busan concert, on the 8th, the platform of the Comprehensive Stadium Station on Subway Line 3, the gateway station of Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu, was filled with an image of member Jungkook wrapped on the screen doors over a length of 250 meters, attracting attention. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Korea Tourism Organization's 'Korea Tourism Data Lab' on June 10, out of the 368 tourism-related complaints received nationwide last month, more than half—50.3% (185 cases)—were reported in Busan. This figure amounts to 77.4% of the total complaints (239 cases) filed in Busan throughout last year.

During the endemic period of 2022 and 2023, Busan accounted for 19.8% and 13.4%, respectively, of nationwide tourism-related complaints, ranking second after Seoul. In 2024, Busan ranked third (11.9%) after Seoul and Jeju, and last year, it ranked third (13.7%) after Seoul and Incheon. This year, the number of complaints in Busan decreased from 148 in January to 49 in February and 38 in March, but rose again to 48 in April and then surged to 185 in May.

Examining last month's complaints in Busan by category, 'general accommodation'—which includes unilateral reservation cancellations and excessive penalty charges—accounted for the largest share at 133 cases. This was followed by 'hotels'—involving unilateral reservation cancellations and poor service or hygiene (21 cases), 'airports and airlines'—such as inadequate airline operations and airport facilities (9 cases), and 'taxis'—including refusal to use the meter and reckless driving (7 cases). Foreigners accounted for 83.8% of complainants, while Koreans made up 16.2%, indicating a much higher proportion of foreign tourists among those affected.

"Let's Not Go Overboard"... Even BTS Expresses Concern

Photo of BTS member V is being displayed on the giant media billboard installed on the outer wall of the Grand Chosun Hotel in front of Haeundae Beach, Busan, ahead of BTS's performance on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Amid these complaints, controversy over accommodation prices in Busan ahead of the BTS concert is cited as a key factor fueling tourists' dissatisfaction. Previously, in connection with the BTS concert scheduled for June 12–13, some accommodation providers in Busan were found to have excessively raised prices or canceled reservations without justifiable reasons, sparking controversy.

In fact, a survey conducted by the Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency in February on 135 Busan accommodations during the BTS concert period revealed that the average accommodation price for the concert weekend (June 12–14) was 2.4 times higher than the previous weekend (June 6–7) and the following weekend (June 20–21).

By accommodation type, the increase in motel rates was the most significant. Motel prices during the concert period jumped 3.3 times compared to the usual rates, while hotel prices also rose by 2.9 times.

BTS members themselves have expressed concerns about the sharp increase in Busan accommodation prices. On May 26, during a Weverse Live broadcast following the 'American Music Awards', leader RM said, "It’s been a while since we’re going to Busan, and there’s something I wanted to say: There’s a lot of news about Busan accommodation issues, and I hope this doesn’t happen."

He continued, "Even if we want to resolve it, realistically, there’s nothing we can do. Of course, prices can fluctuate between peak and off-peak seasons," but addressing Busan accommodation providers, he urged in the local dialect, "Let’s not go overboard. Seriously."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.