K-pop concert prices double over past decade, fueled by premium tickets

K-pop concert ticket prices have nearly doubled over the past decade, sparking growing frustration among fans. A decade ago, top-tier seats at major idol concerts averaged about 100,000 won, or around $90 at the time. Today, tickets for popular acts typically fall between 150,000 won ($102) and 250,000 won. This dramatic price escalation is evident in the K-pop scene. The most expensive ticket for BTS’ “THE WINGS TOUR” in Seoul in 2017 was 110,000 won, but top-tier seats for the group’s upcoming shows in Korea, starting in April, have risen to 264,000 won. Long-running groups show the same trend. Super Junior sold all seats for their 2016 world tour “SUPER SHOW 6” at 110,000 won, but for the upcoming “SUPER SHOW 10” in April, standing tickets closest to the stage are priced at 198,000 won. Similarly, while standing tickets for APINK’s 2016 concert were 99,000 won, VIP seats for their February show, “The Origin: APINK,” have reached 187,000 won. Across the industry, prices have risen by approximately 100,000 to 150,000 won compared to a decade ago. The sharp rise is

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