BTS comeback show’s turnout half than expected, leading to 15% drop in Hybe shares

The concert in Seoul attracted 104,000 fans instead of the 260,000 initially estimated by the police. Read more at straitstimes.com.

SEOUL – Hybe’s shares plunged as much as 15 per cent after a heavily-promoted comeback concert by K-pop megastars BTS drew a smaller crowd than the authorities initially expected.

Stock in BTS’ agency recorded its biggest intraday decline since June 2022.

The boy band’s event at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 attracted 104,000 fans versus the 260,000 initially estimated by the police, according to South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo.

Stringent crowd control measures – reflecting in part the authorities’ focus on avoiding a repeat of the Itaewon crowd crush in October 2022 – may have played a part.

The concert in Seoul was live-streamed by Netflix, which should release viewership figures later this week.

BTS performed 12 songs during the hour-long show, ranging from tracks on their new album, Arirang, to hits such as Dynamite (2020) and Butter (2021). The event also drew more viewers on Netflix, topping daily charts in countries including South Korea over the weekend.