Korean authorities are moving to crack down on alleged hotel price gouging and reservation abuses after BTS members publicly criticized soaring accommodation costs ahead of the K-pop group’s upcoming concerts in Busan. The global K-pop superstars are set to hold “BTS WORLD TOUR ‘ARIRANG’ IN BUSAN” on June 12-13, coinciding with the group’s debut anniversary on June 13. The concerts are expected to draw tens of thousands of domestic and international fans to the southeastern port city. But excitement surrounding the event has been overshadowed by complaints about sharply rising accommodation costs. According to a May survey conducted by the Korea Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency, average lodging prices at 135 accommodation facilities in Busan during the concert period were 2.4 times higher than on surrounding weekends. Motel rates rose by an average of 3.3 times, while hotel prices increased by 2.9 times. Some properties reportedly charged more than five times their usual rates. In extreme cases, rooms that normally cost around 100,000 won ($73) were listed for as much a
BTS vs. price gouging? Gov’t steps in before Busan shows
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