The members of BTS have spoken out about the shocking price-gouging controversy over lodging in Busan.
BTS is preparing to hold the 'BTS World Tour Arirang in Busan' on June 12 and 13 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium. After the announcement, some local accommodations reportedly hiked prices into the millions of won, triggering mounting frustration among fans.
Following their attendance at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMA) at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on the 26th (local time), BTS addressed the issue during a Weverse Live broadcast with fans.
Leader RM said, "There are way too many stories about accommodations ahead of the Busan shows. I hope people won’t do that." He added, "We all need to take the long view. Of course, there’s such a thing as peak-season rates, but please keep it reasonable."
Jimin said, "We want everyone to have a great experience in Busan, so this really hurts." Jungkook, speaking in Busan dialect, called out the situation with, "Enough already."
To tackle the gouging problem, the Busan city government is conducting crackdowns and promoting a fair-lodging challenge. Buddhist temples in Busan and Gyeongnam are opening temple-stay facilities for free, while local universities such as Pusan National University and religious groups are preparing additional accommodations for fans. Despite these efforts, complaints continue, and the controversy shows no sign of dying down.
Meanwhile, BTS took home three awards at the American Music Awards the same day, winning Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, and Best Male K-Pop Artist, further cementing their global popularity.