Netflix BTS Gwanghwamun Concert Controversy

Broadcaster Park Myung-soo made a bold statement regarding the controversy surrounding BTS's Gwanghwamun concert, saying it was "a contribution to national prestige that cannot be measured by money." On the KBS CoolFM show 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show' on the 23rd, he responded to a listener's message by saying, "It's embarrassing to compare," but also recalled his own past experience of holding a public broadcast in Gwanghwamun. Park Myung-soo emphasized that the BTS Gwanghwamun concert "​broadcasts Korea's Gwanghwamun to 196 countries around the world, which cannot be quantified by money." He added, "​Only BTS can do this. I am so proud and believe everyone congratulated them."

The 'BTS Comeback Live: Arirang' concert, held around Gwanghwamun Square on the 21st, drew an estimated 104,000 fans from around the world, becoming a major topic of discussion. The concert was broadcast live globally via Netflix, and analyses suggested it yielded trillions of won in promotional effects. The replay content ranked first globally in Netflix's movie category and topped the charts in 77 countries.

However, the traffic control and security checks in the city center where the concert took place caused inconvenience to citizens. Despite the deployment of approximately 10,000 police officers and public officials, criticism arose that it was an overreaction due to a failure to predict crowd size. In response, the police explained, "​We were preparing for the worst-case scenario."

Meanwhile, HYBE issued an official statement expressing gratitude to the authorities and citizens for providing the Gwanghwamun concert venue. HYBE considered it an honor to present the performance at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, and apologized for the inconvenience caused to citizens during the event. They also explained that traffic and building control, and searches for dangerous items to ensure safety, were unavoidable measures, adding that the growth of K-pop is thanks to the mature support of Korean society and its citizens. HYBE announced that it will implement long-term support systems for the protection and promotion of national heritage and cultural assets in the future.

Some fans and industry insiders heavily criticized Netflix's directing style, stating it "did not meet expectations." The camera work, lack of live atmosphere, and inadequate sound, which did not capture the essence of K-pop, became targets of criticism. Voices expressing disappointment were particularly high when compared to the sophisticated directing of domestic music shows, with some evaluating that "​Netflix merely used the massive IP of BTS for their own content promotion, and was indifferent to the completeness of the stage." Despite a world-renowned concert director being in charge of the production, criticisms pointed to a lack of understanding of K-pop, the failure to utilize a pre-recorded system, and inadequate stage design.