SEOUL, January 27 (AJP) - BTS’s first global concert tour in nearly four years, following the completion of the Korean members’ mandatory military service, has reached the level of presidential diplomacy in Mexico.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she had personally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to help secure additional BTS concert dates in Mexico, citing overwhelming demand from Mexican youth.
Speaking at a regular press briefing on Jan. 26 local time, Sheinbaum said she sent a message to Lee asking for his support in expanding the group’s scheduled performances during their Mexico stop in May.
“We have not yet received a response, but we hope it will be positive,” she said.
Sheinbaum added that she also contacted concert organizers to explore the possibility of adding more shows. However, local promoter Ocesa has said that additional dates are currently not feasible.
BTS is scheduled to perform at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on May 7, 9 and 10.
A senior official at HYBE, the group’s management agency, said the company has not received any formal request regarding the matter.
Sheinbaum had earlier welcomed the confirmation of BTS’s visit, saying during a Jan. 19 briefing that the concerts fulfilled a “historic request” from Mexican youth.
GNP Seguros Stadium has a capacity of approximately 50,000 to 60,000, and all tickets sold out within 37 minutes of going on sale on Jan. 24. Ticketmaster described the sale as one of the most intense in Mexico’s recent concert history, with searches originating from more than 1,300 cities worldwide.
According to Sheinbaum, around 150,000 tickets were sold, while more than 1 million people attempted to purchase them.
Meanwhile, Mexico’s Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco) has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster over unclear consumer information and potential scalping practices. The agency has also warned resale platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo, where tickets have been listed at five to six times their original prices.
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