BTS to Hold Free Gwanghwamun Comeback Show; Gyeongbokgung to Close March 21

BTS’ free comeback concert at Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square is three weeks away, and the group is expected to perform a mix of new tracks and past hits during the roughly one-hour show.

According to the music industry on Friday, HYBE is discussing a set list for the March 21 event, a free performance marking the release of BTS’ fifth full-length album, titled “BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE: ARIRANG,” to be held at Gwanghwamun Square.

The concert is expected to run about an hour. HYBE said the length was set in consideration of the venue’s location in central Seoul, adding that the decision reflects the challenges of staging an event in an outdoor public space, including overall stage operations, spectator safety management and on-site control plans.

Demand has been strong. The 13,000 seats available for general reservation sold out immediately after sales opened on Feb. 23, with 100,000 people placed in an online waiting queue. Police expect about 230,000 people to gather from the area around the stage to the Daehanmun Gate area of Deoksugung, and as many as 260,000 as far as Sungnyemun.

With a major event planned in the city center, police are preparing safety measures. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has already asked Seoul Metro to consider having three nearby subway stations — Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung and City Hall — pass through without stopping to help prevent crowding.

Traffic controls are also expected. Vehicle access will be restricted on nearby roads including Sejong-daero, the main event site, as well as Saemunan-ro, Jongno, Sajik-ro and Yulgok-ro. Specific control times will be announced in advance through electronic road signs and other channels once finalized.

Nearby cultural and tourism sites will also suspend operations. The Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center said on its website and social media Friday that Gyeongbokgung Palace is scheduled to close temporarily on Saturday, March 21, for safety reasons. The palace is normally closed on Tuesdays.

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, adjacent to the square, also said it will close temporarily that day for safety reasons.

The Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is canceling or adjusting scheduled performances, including musicals, plays and ballet, for that day.

The National Palace Museum of Korea, next to Gyeongbokgung, is also reported to be reviewing whether to close.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon