BTS Faces Scandal Over 20-Fold Price Hikes and Abusive Treatment for Busan Concert

Scandals have erupted over exorbitant pricing and unjust cancellation practices by lodging establishments ahead of BTS’s concert taking place in Busan on the 12th and 13th. A Japanese fan was subjected to abusive language when contacting a hotel to inquire about reservations, prompting the government to announce stricter regulatory measures.

A Japanese woman identified as a BTS fan contacted a lodging business in Busan after making a reservation and asked about check-in procedures. The hotel responded with abusive remarks such as “some fucking XXX” before sending a message saying, “Please go ahead and cancel your reservation.” The woman was attempting to confirm whether reservations could be canceled without permission out of concern. She eventually booked another accommodation and is currently consulting with a booking agency while awaiting a response.

Lodging facilities in Busan have also been frequently charging excessive fees and canceling reservations under unjustified reasons. Some hotel room rates surged by up to 20 times the usual price.

The government has introduced a new measure called the “Anti-Gouging Price Assurance System.” Lodging businesses must pre-register and disclose room rates before major cultural and sports events. Failure to do so, false advertising, failure to honor promised rates, or unilateral cancellation will result in penalties such as business suspension and exclusion from government support programs, rather than mere warnings.

In cases where reservations are canceled for resale purposes, lodging operators must refund customers’ deposits and pay 200% of the canceled room rate as compensation. The government is also considering offering 10% of the fines imposed on those who report price gouging.

The city of Busan plans to conduct ongoing inspections alongside efforts by industry stakeholders to self-regulate, and it intends to take firm action against any lodging facilities that charge excessive fees or cancel reservations unjustly.