In an unprecedented diplomatic move, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally requested that South Korea help arrange more concerts for the world-renowned K-pop group BTS. This comes after a staggering demand for tickets left hundreds of thousands of young fans disappointed.
Overwhelming Demand Sparks Presidential Intervention
At her daily morning press conference on Monday, President Sheinbaum revealed she had sent a diplomatic letter to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. "Everyone wants to go," Sheinbaum stated, highlighting the extraordinary popularity of the septet in Mexico. She explained that while approximately one million young people are eager to purchase tickets, only 150,000 tickets are currently available across the three scheduled concerts.
Global Tour Launch and Ticket Scramble
The chart-topping boy band is preparing to embark on a highly anticipated global tour in April, following the release of their first new album in three years, titled Arirang. This marks their return from a hiatus that began in 2022, during which members completed South Korea's mandatory military service. The announcement of the tour triggered a worldwide scramble for tickets, with Mexico—one of K-pop's largest fan bases—experiencing particularly intense competition.
Consumer Watchdog Investigation and Pricing Issues
Mexico's consumer watchdog has launched an investigation into Ticketmaster and has sanctioned resale platforms StubHub and Viagogo for what it describes as "abusive and disloyal practices" during the BTS ticketing process. While specific details were not provided, the agency has committed to developing new guidelines to better regulate ticket sales for concerts and festivals, including establishing prices and locations before tickets go on sale.
Original ticket prices on Ticketmaster ranged from about 1,800 pesos to 17,800 pesos for VIP tickets (approximately $100 to $1,030). However, on resale platforms, tickets were being sold from 11,300 to 92,100 pesos (over $5,300) as of Monday, highlighting significant inflation in the secondary market.
Historical Context and Future Plans
Ticketmaster, owned by Live Nation Entertainment, has faced previous controversies in Mexico. In 2022, the company reimbursed around $1 million to customers after more than a thousand fans were denied entry to a Bad Bunny concert at Mexico's Estadio Azteca. At that time, Ticketmaster criticised resellers and fraudulent vendors, calling for stronger control measures.
BTS's new album Arirang is slated for release in March, with the world tour kicking off in Goyang, South Korea, on 9 April. The three currently scheduled concerts in Mexico will take place at Mexico City's GNP Seguros Stadium from 7 to 10 May. President Sheinbaum's request underscores the cultural impact of K-pop and the logistical challenges of meeting fan demand in an era of global music fandom.
