BTS Gwanghwamun concert D-1 draws both interest·controversy···final preparations in full swing amid mixed anticipation·tension - 경향신문

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On the 20th, one day before BTS comeback concert, the area around Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, was congested with crowds that had converged. Kim Tae-uk

Although one day remained before the BTS comeback concert, on the 20th Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, was already packed with citizens and tourists, leaving no room to step. As crowds gathered early ahead of the event, police and concert staff deployed on site also became busy. They controlled areas such as the stage installation site and repeatedly checked the situation, showing clear signs of tension.

By this day, the installation of the venue was almost complete. Seating filled Gwanghwamun Square, and portable toilets were also installed.

On the 20th, one day before BTS comeback concert, seating chairs and portable toilets are installed at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul. Kim Tae-uk

Around lunchtime, as more people arrived, ‘bottlenecks’ occurred on walkways throughout the square. With the narrowed walkways due to the venue installation filled with people, citizens moved carefully, keeping close even to the edge of the roadway. When pedestrians stopped in front of the installed stage to take photos, congestion ensued. On-site staff held light batons and shouted, “Do not stop, please keep moving.” In the crowd, one citizen said to a companion, “If it is already like this, what will we do tomorrow?”

On the 20th, one day before BTS comeback concert, as crowds at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, made passage congested, an event official controlled the scene. Kim Tae-uk

At a nearby alley convenience store, a promotional sign reading ‘BTS nearest convenience store’ was posted, and employees were arranging figures of BTS members in front of the store. Citizens stopped, saying “How interesting,” and watched. The sidewalk in front of the store was also packed and congested.

Police installed safety fences and police lines in the square and on nearby roads, and deployed on-site command vehicles and elevated observation vehicles at the south end of the square. They set up barricades in advance in various places to begin full-scale site control.

Figures of BTS members are displayed in front of a convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert.

A promotional sign reading ‘BTS nearest convenience store’ is posted at a convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk

Near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert, police have set up barricades and are standing guard. Kim Tae-uk

Buildings near the square also prepared to restrict access. The main entrance to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts was already tightly closed from the morning. At the entrance to the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, a notice announced a temporary closure for the following day. As dozens of tourists gathered on the museum’s eighth-floor rooftop garden, known as a ‘Gwanghwamun view spot’, police officers were also stationed on the roof. As a large banner happened to be installed on the government complex building across the street, tourists took photos with it as a backdrop. An on-site official explained, “This place is scheduled to be closed from this evening through tomorrow.” Just one floor below the rooftop garden, an on-site situation management headquarters of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was set up.

Tourists photograph a large banner being installed on the government complex building across from the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk

On the 7th floor of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert, an on-site situation management headquarters of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has been set up. Kim Tae-uk

Notices announcing that entrances would be closed from 9 p.m. and that Line 5 trains would pass through without stopping were posted throughout Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. At the Gwanghwamun Square bus stop, temporary detour route maps were densely posted by route. The Seoul public bicycle service ‘Ttareungi’ also stopped. Temporary closure notices were posted at Ttareungi rental stations near the square. Telecommunications companies expanded base stations in preparation for the expected crowds. Along the roadway near the U.S. Embassy beside the square, temporary base station vehicles of telecom companies were lined up in dense rows.

Inside Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert, notices announce entrance closures·non-stop train passage. Kim Tae-uk

A bus detour route map is posted at the Gwanghwamun Square bus stop in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk

A Seoul public bicycle Ttareungi rental station near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, is closed on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk

Temporary base station vehicles installed by telecommunications companies are lined up near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk

Ahead of this concert, criticism and controversy also emerged. The civic group Munhwa Yeondae on the 19th issued a critical commentary, stating, ‘What the government should do is not to support a particular industry and large cultural enterprises, but to ask and act on how to restore the diversity·creativity·autonomy·publicness of the damaged culture and arts ecosystem.’

Due to concerns about possible crowd accidents, the government remained on high alert, with officials visiting the site one after another to conduct inspections through the day. After Acting Chief of the National Police Agency Yu Jae-seong and Seoul Police Chief Park Jeong-bo inspected the site earlier, in the afternoon Minister Yun Ho-jung of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, along with police and fire officials, also visited to check preparations.

Minister Yun Ho-jung of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and officials inspect the scene at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 20th, one day before the BTS comeback concert. Kim Tae-uk