![Fans of BTS, known as ARMY, look at photos of the group's members on a wall near the exit of Jonghap Undongjang Station on subway Line 3 — the nearest stop to Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where the "BTS World Tour Arirang in Busan" concert was held Friday. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/13/rcv.YNA.20260612.PYH2026061219750005100_P1.jpg)
BTS's Busan concert Friday was delayed by 75 minutes, leaving tens of thousands of fans waiting outside the venue.
The group had been scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. at Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu, Busan, for the "BTS World Tour Arirang in Busan." The performance did not begin until 8:15 p.m.
Audience members flooded online platforms with posts saying they were unable to enter the venue even after the scheduled start time. According to those accounts, a shortage of commemorative gifts for the roughly 50,000 attendees caused a bottleneck that held up entry.
Hybe, the group's agency, issued an apology. "We sincerely and deeply apologize to all audience members for the significant inconvenience caused by the delayed start," the company said. It added that a combination of factors — confusion in on-site guidance, a bottleneck in the fan gift distribution line and delays in merchandise pickup — had pushed back the start of the show despite the company's efforts to prepare thoroughly. "We once again offer our most heartfelt apologies to all the fans who waited so long to see the performance," Hybe said.
BTS is scheduled to perform at the same venue Saturday for the second night of the tour. Hybe said it would thoroughly review and improve all aspects of on-site operations, including entry procedures and gift distribution, to prevent the same congestion from occurring.
paq@heraldcorp.com
