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BTS's Gwanghwamun performance to run for only 1 hour over safety concerns

Published: 28 Feb. 2026, 16:52 Updated: 01 Mar. 2026, 16:16

People take a photo in front of a promotion installation for BTS's upcoming album, ″Arirang,″ near Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, on Jan. 22. [YONHAP]

A free performance by K-pop boy band BTS at Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square, scheduled for next month, will run for approximately an hour due to safety and operational considerations, its organizer said on Saturday.

“The performance time has been set to run for an appropriate duration to ensure safe and smooth operations,” HYBE said in a release.

“The Gwanghwamun show is taking place in a unique setting at a public outdoor venue rather than a conventional concert hall,” the company said. “Accordingly, we have set the performance time after taking various factors, including stage management, audience safety and on-site control into consideration.”

The upcoming performance will include new songs from the boy band's upcoming fifth full-length album “Arirang” along with its other popular songs, according to entertainment sources.

The 13,000 tickets available for the show were sold out shortly after going on sale on Monday.

Police currently estimate that up to 260,000 people may visit the area around the venue. Organizers are reviewing measures to install large screens near City Hall.

Yonhap