BTS Gwanghwamun Concert Controversy

Entertainer Park Myung-soo made a bold statement calling the BTS concert in Gwanghwamun "promoting national prestige." On the KBS CoolFM show 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show' on the 23rd, Park Myung-soo mentioned the BTS concert held at Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st, expressing his hope that the foreign attendees would widely promote Korea's good aspects and delicious food. This remark came along with a listener's message that read, "BTS, the celebrity permitted by Gwanghwamun, and PMS (Park Myung-soo)." Park Myung-soo recalled his own experience holding a public broadcast of his radio show in Gwanghwamun, noting that while about 1,000 to 2,000 people gathered then, a massive crowd turned out for the BTS concert. He stated that BTS's concert drew so many people without national promotion, emphasizing, "​How much have they promoted national prestige? Gwanghwamun is being broadcast to about 190 countries worldwide; it's invaluable."

The 'BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG' concert, held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul for about an hour on the 21st, drew approximately 48,000 people. According to the global OTT ranking site 'FlixPatrol,' the live broadcast of the concert ranked first in the Netflix movie category in 77 countries, including Korea.

Lee Jung-woo, a designer and the mother-in-law of actress Jun Ji-hyun, has clarified a controversy where she was accused of demeaning BTS members, stating it was "an expression of fan sentiment quoting the members' jokes." On her social media on the 23rd, Lee stated, "​Would a 10-year ARMY (BTS fandom) criticize the team they support?" and denied any intention to demean. The controversy began on the 21st when Lee shared a video of the BTS comeback concert held at Gwanghwamun Square and wrote, "​The leader who speaks English and the kids who still can't speak English after 10 years. Still, I love you all." Some netizens raised issues, calling it a careless remark that belittled global artists. Lee explained that she posted it while laughing after seeing content exchanged during a Weverse live broadcast by the members, adding that she is not good at English herself and is not in a position to evaluate others' skills. She also described herself as "a regular person who retired a long time ago" and expressed her frustration, asking, "​Can't I even enjoy my fandom in peace?" Lee is the mother of Choi Joon-hyuk, CEO of Alpha Asset Management and Jun Ji-hyun's husband, and the daughter of the late Hanbok designer Lee Young-hee.

Kim Jang-hwan, president of Far East Broadcasting, publicly criticized the BTS concert in Gwanghwamun, saying, "It's not child's play." During his sermon at the Far East Broadcasting executive committee's Thursday breakfast meeting on the 20th, Kim questioned the choice of Gwanghwamun as the concert venue, stating, "​I don't understand why they chose to perform at the Central Government Complex (Gwanghwamun) of all places," suggesting it would have been better held in a spacious area like Saemangeum. He also raised questions about the 6,500 police officers mobilized for the concert and disparaged BTS's music, saying, "​I don't know what the lyrics are or what songs they sing." In response, the Far East Broadcasting labor union issued a statement on the 24th, calling his remarks "​hatred of popular culture that disregards the immense influence K-pop and BTS have on the global music market and the industry as a whole," and criticized his lack of discretion as a public figure.