BTS's concert scheduled in Gwanghwamun next month is expected to draw an immense crowd, leading to local authorities closing Gyeongbokgung Palace for the day. The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 28th that the palace will observe a closing day on March 21, coinciding with BTS's performance scheduled for the same day. BTS is set to release their fifth studio album 'Arirang' on March 20, and their concert will commence at 8 PM the following evening, attracting significant attention from fans and the media alike.

The expected audience for the concert is reportedly around 34,000 seats, but police estimate that up to 260,000 people might gather in the vicinity of the concert venue, prompting a major crowd management initiative. Authorities are implementing a detailed plan to ensure safety, categorizing the surrounding areas into core, hot, warm, and cold zones based on crowd density and potential risks. In addition, there will be adjustments to public transportation, with specific subway stations bypassing stops to manage the influx of concert-goers on that day.

Cultural activities in the area will also be affected, as several nearby venues are adjusting their schedules. The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, located adjacent to Gwanghwamun Square, announced it would close on the concert day, while the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is working on rescheduling or canceling planned performances. The National Palace Museum is also in discussions about whether to close its doors on that day, highlighting the extensive impact of BTS's concert on local cultural sites and activities in the area.