BTS Members Slam ‘Price Gouging’ Over $2,250 Hotel Rates for Busan Concert

[TV Daily reporter Hwang Seoyeon] BTS addressed reports of lodging price‑gouging ahead of their upcoming concerts in Busan.

On the 26th, after the American Music Awards in Las Vegas, the group hosted a livestream to speak with fans.

While celebrating their three AMA wins, including the show’s top honor, members also responded to complaints about hotel rates tied to their Busan dates. BTS is scheduled to perform two shows of the BTS World Tour \”ARIRANG\” at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on June 12 and 13.

RM said there have been \”too many news reports\” about lodging ahead of the Busan shows and added, \”I hope people would stop.\” Jimin, sounding disappointed, said this should be a time of happiness.

RM urged a longer view, saying, \”We need to look at things long term.\” Suga noted that Busan’s appeal as a tourist destination has surged lately and warned against operators charging premium rates. RM added that Busan has become \”hip\”—almost like Korea’s Miami—and expressed frustration over the trend.

BTS

Especially because Jimin and Jungkook are from Busan, they sounded particularly upset. Jimin said he hoped visitors would \”leave Busan with only good memories,\” adding, \”Of course money is money, but this is too much.\” Jungkook chimed in, \”Cut it out — that shouldn’t happen.\” RM said bluntly that even if they wanted to help, there was little they could do. He acknowledged that seasonal price differences occur but urged restraint: \”Let’s be reasonable,\” he said, criticizing excessive rate hikes.

Recently, posts circulating online have shown hotel rooms in Busan that normally cost about 50,000 KRW (approximately $37.50) spiking to as much as 3,000,000 KRW (approximately $2,250) on concert dates, and some packages booked months in advance have been canceled. The city of Busan has begun cracking down on price gouging, and the Korea Buddhist Cultural Foundation has opened Templestay spaces at temples in Busan and South Gyeongsang as free lodging, but fans continue to voice complaints.

[TV Daily reporter Hwang Seoyeon news@tvdaily.co.kr / Photos = BigHit Music, Weverse]