Gyeongbok Palace will close on March 21 due to a free concert by K-pop group BTS at Gwanghwamun Square. This marks a rare weekend shutdown to ensure safety during the event. The concert, lasting about one hour, will be streamed worldwide on Netflix.
Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul will shut on March 21 for a concert by K-pop group BTS at nearby Gwanghwamun Square. The Korea Heritage Service’s Palace and Tombs Center stated that the main royal palace of the 1392–1910 Joseon Dynasty, located about 230 meters from the square, will remain closed during the Saturday event, despite its usual weekend openings and Tuesday closures. This represents a rare weekend shutdown.
BTS will release its fifth full-length album, “Arirang,” on March 20, marking the band's first full-group comeback in three years and nine months. The following evening, the group will hold a live concert at Gwanghwamun Square, streamed worldwide on Netflix in about 190 countries. The performance is set to last about one hour, as announced by HYBE. “The company set the concert length to ensure safety and smooth operations,” HYBE said, noting considerations for stage operations, crowd safety, and on-site control in a public outdoor space rather than a conventional venue. “Given the large crowds expected at the event, we also considered post-concert public transportation and minimizing late-night noise for the surrounding community,” it added.
The 13,000 available tickets sold out shortly after going on sale on Monday. Police estimate up to 260,000 people could gather, prompting reviews for large screens near City Hall. Several nearby facilities are also adjusting: The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History will close on March 21, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts has canceled or rescheduled musicals, plays, and ballets, and the National Palace Museum of Korea is considering closure.
