BTS held their world tour concerts in Busan on June 12 and 13, 2026, leading to sharp increases in local accommodation prices. Average rates during the concert weekend reached 433,999 Korean won (about S$368), 2.4 times higher than surrounding weekends, with motel prices spiking to an average of 325,801 won, 3.3 times their usual rate [1].
Many customers reported that accommodations urged them to cancel reservations or pay extra fees, with some bookings canceled unilaterally. Fans described the prices as "obscenely high," forcing some to stay outside the city despite wanting to explore Busan. One 28-year-old fan said the situation made her wish BTS would avoid Busan next time, though she acknowledged the city’s attractions [2].
BTS leader RM addressed the issue in a May 27 live stream, saying, "There has been a lot of news about accommodation problems in Busan. Even if we want to solve it ourselves, there’s only so much we can do. Of course, prices can change depending on peak seasons, but I hope we can keep things reasonable." Jimin, a Busan native, added, "I hope fans leave Busan with only good memories when they visit" [1].
President Lee Jae Myung called for stronger action against price gouging ahead of the concerts, while Busan city officials have cracked down on discrepancies between posted and charged rates and urged businesses to keep prices reasonable. However, authorities currently lack legal powers to cap or control room rates during the weekend [1].
Fans noted that accommodation prices in Busan far outpaced those in Seoul during a recent free BTS concert, where Airbnb prices remained relatively stable [2].
BTS announced their Busan tour dates back in January 2026, triggering early expectations of a surge in accommodation demand [1]. The concerts coincided with BTS’s 13th debut anniversary on June 13 [1, 2].
Local authorities continue monitoring accommodation pricing and have pledged to enforce transparent pricing as the concerts concluded.
