BTS concerts add about £28m to South Korea's economy

Hana Card data shows roughly 55.5bn won (about £28m) was spent by around 30,000 overseas visitors during three BTS shows in Goyang, and South Korea recorded a record 4.76 million foreign visitors in Q1 2026.

BTS returned to group performances after a multi-year hiatus and staged three sold-out shows at Goyang Stadium in April as part of their Arirang World Tour. Credit card company Hana Card released figures showing large foreign spending linked to those concerts over the three-day period. The band had earlier marked their comeback with a free concert at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 and launched the Arirang World Tour on April 9. The tour is planned to run across multiple regions through March 2027. Key figures: - Hana Card reported about 30,000 overseas visitors spent roughly 55.5bn won (about £28m) on airfare, accommodation, food and retail during the three Goyang shows. - Foreign card transactions in the area rose 807% from April 6–12 compared with the prior week, and overall spending increased 231%, per Hana Card. - Spending increases included convenience stores up 1,069%, cafes up 1,109%, restaurants up 600%, and retail purchases up 629%; the total number of cards used rose 1,252%. - Average reported spending by visitors attending the concerts was about 616,000 won on airfare, 480,000 won on accommodation, and 314,000 won on shopping. - The Goyang dates were the first shows of an 82-date Arirang World Tour across 34 cities through March 2027, and local reports said all three Goyang shows sold out during presales. Summary: The concerts were tied to a clear rise in local consumer spending around the venue and broader tourism indicators, with South Korea recording a record 4.76 million foreign visitors in the first quarter of 2026. The Arirang World Tour is continuing to other cities and is scheduled to run through March 2027.