[Saturday Column] A Virturous Cycle of "Positive Influence"

 Original article: Insight

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Illegal ticket scalping surrounding BTS's comeback concert is becoming increasingly rampant, with ticket prices soaring to several times their original value. Despite the event being free, tickets are being sold for around 150,000 won (approximately $101, 21), while paid concert tickets have surged to prices as high as 900,000 won (approximately $607.28). 

BTS will hold the performance "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE : ARIRANG" on the 21st at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. 

The concert, which was prepared as a completely free for fans, sold out immediately when reservations opened. However, posts offering the free tickets for sale at prices between 120,000 and 150,000 won (approx. $80, 97 ~ $101, 21) are openly circulating on social media, constituting illegal transactions. 




The scalping situation for the paid concerts scheduled to be held in Goyang from the 9th to the 12th of next month is even more severe. Tickets originally priced between 198,000 and 264,000 won (approx. $133.60 ~ $178.13) are being traded online for 800,000 to 900,000 won (approx. 540 ~ $607.28). 

Despite the government's efforts to strengthen crackdowns, illegal resale posts with large markups continue to appear on secondhand trading platform and social media. Scalpers are also using increasingly sophisticated methods. 

Beyond simple ticket transfers, various tactics are being used to bypass identity verification. These include "account transfers" (아옮)—where the seller cancels the ticket and the buyer quickly purchases the newly released ticket—and "wristband transfer" (팔옮)—where the wristband used for entry to the venue is physically handed over to another person. 

Some resale posts even include notices stating that buyers must "find an agency capable of arranging account transfers or wristband transfers."




Ahead of the June 12-13 concerts in Busan, accommodations prices in the city have also surged sharply. According to a survey conducted last month by the Korea Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency, accommodation rates at 135 lodging facilities in Busan increased from around 100,000 won (approx. $67.48) to as much as 750,000 won (approx. $506.06) won during the BTS concert period—an average rise of 2.4 times.

The government has decided to treat the upcoming BTS concerts as a key test case for its anti-scalping policy and has begun taking strong measures.

On the 5th, Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated at the launch ceremony of the " Public-Private Council for preventing ticket scalping in performances and sports" that "the BTS concert will become an important test case in the fight against ticket scalping," urging platforms to actively cooperate.

Minister Choi emphasized, "Even if someone purchases a scalped ticket for concerts such as those by BTS, the reservation may be cancelled if the illegal transaction is discovered. Moreover, identity verification at the venue makes actual transfer of the ticket practically impossible, which could lead to fraud and other damages. It is important to inform the public of these risks and seek their cooperation." 




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