24 Billion Won from Idol Concerts, 14 Million Won from Movie Tickets... 'Macro Scalping' Still Rampant

Bulk Purchase of Nearly 9,000 Tickets, Resold for Up to 30 Times the Face Value
Profits from Ticket Sales Used to Buy Apartment and Commercial Properties

A professional ticket scalper was arrested by the police after using a macro program to bulk reserve thousands of tickets for popular performances and sports events, then reselling them at up to 30 times the original price. Around the same time, a post claimed that resale of IMAX tickets for the film 'Odyssey' netted a profit of 14 million won, which brought the issue of macro-based ticket scalping back into the public eye.

A professional scalper was arrested by the police for using macro programs to bulk book thousands of tickets for popular performances and sports games and reselling them with up to 30 times the original price. The Asia Business Daily

On September 16, the Cyber Crime Investigation Division 2 of the Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency announced that it had arrested a man in his 30s, Mr. A, and referred him to the prosecution on charges of obstruction of business. Mr. A is accused of using macro programs and accounts under the names of family and relatives to reserve 8,967 tickets for popular concerts and sports games over about 7 years and 7 months—from September 2018 to April of this year—and earning approximately 2.4 billion won by selling them at a markup. The police estimate that about two-thirds of the sales revenue was profit.

The scalped ticket prices showed a drastic difference from the official prices. Tickets to BTS concerts, normally priced at 110,000 won, were traded for up to 3 million won; Stray Kids concert tickets, originally 165,000 won, were resold for up to 2 million won; and Seventeen fan meeting tickets went from 110,000 won to as much as 1.8 million won. Tickets for events such as the K League All-Star team vs. Tottenham Hotspur football match and the Bruno Mars concert in Korea were also targeted.

Mr. A, after graduating from college, practically made a living by reselling tickets without any other jobs, and it was investigated that he even registered as an e-commerce business operator. Methods used included changing the ticket delivery address to the buyer, transferring accounts, and handing out entrance wristbands at the concert venue. Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency

It was found that after graduating from university, Mr. A made ticket scalping his primary means of livelihood, even registering as an e-commerce business operator. His methods included changing ticket delivery addresses to buyers, transferring account credentials, and handing over entry wristbands at concert venues. He also reportedly purchased one apartment and two commercial properties with proceeds from the crime. The police have identified the two remaining commercial properties and deposits and bonds totaling 1,264,390,000 won as criminal gains, and have taken pre-indictment measures to preserve these assets. During police questioning, Mr. A reportedly denied the charges, stating, "I didn't know ticket scalping was illegal and never caused harm to anyone."

Up to 50 Times Surcharges for Scalped Concert and Sports Tickets... No Regulation for Movie Tickets

Previously, "Odyssey" saw a concentration of viewing demand at the Yongsan IMAX theater, leading to continuous reselling of tickets. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, controversy over movie ticket scalping has been growing online. On September 15, a social media post claimed macro programs were used to book tickets for 'Odyssey' at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall's IMAX theater, known as 'Yongamek', earning a net profit of 14 million won over about one and a half months. Settlement data disclosed by the poster reported net sales of approximately 27.42 million won and a net profit of 14 million won from August 1 to September 15. The poster also boasted, "I think my macro’s performance is number one." However, the authenticity of the published settlement records could not be verified, and the original post has since been deleted.

Previously, 'Odyssey' saw a concentration of viewing demand at the Yongsan IMAX theater, leading to a surge in ticket scalping. In response, since August 27, CGV has temporarily limited IMAX ticket purchases at the theater to a maximum of four per transaction and four per day, and is monitoring abnormal reservations and commercial resales. Penalties for scalping have also become significantly stricter recently. As of August 28, amendments to the Performing Arts Act and the National Sports Promotion Act have been implemented, prohibiting 'fraudulent purchases'—buying tickets for concerts and sports events by bypassing or obstructing fair purchase procedures with the intent to resell—as well as 'fraudulent sales,' or repeatedly and commercially reselling tickets at a higher price than the purchase price without the seller’s consent. The main point is that regulations have been strengthened to target ticket scalping itself, regardless of macro program use.

Up to 50 Times Surcharges for Scalped Concert and Sports Tickets

If fraudulent purchases or sales are detected, offenders may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won. In particular, for fraudulent sales, a surcharge ranging from double to as much as 50 times the sales amount can be imposed, depending on factors such as the sales amount and number of sales. Confiscation and forfeiture of criminal proceeds is also possible. However, movie tickets are currently not covered by regulations in the Performing Arts Act or the National Sports Promotion Act.

If illegal purchases or sales are detected, offenders may face imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. In particular, for illegal sales, penalties can include surcharges ranging from twice to up to 50 times the sales amount, depending on the sales volume and number of transactions, as well as confiscation and recovery of criminal proceeds. The Asia Business Daily

The government has also explained that the amended laws apply to tickets for performances and sporting events, but not to movie tickets or accommodation vouchers. Accordingly, the reselling of movie tickets at high prices, like with 'Odyssey', cannot easily be punished under the concert and sports ticket scalping regulations. However, if the use of a macro program is found to have obstructed the normal operation of the reservation system, charges such as obstruction of business may arise depending on the circumstances. Under the Criminal Act, obstruction of business is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 15 million won.

With regulations tightening over concerts and sports events, there are growing concerns about the spread of macro-facilitated ticket scalping to unregulated sectors such as movie theaters. This has led to calls for technical restrictions at the reservation stage, management of resale platforms, and institutional reform.

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