"Concert Ticket at 580,000 Won?"... Thailand Angry Over 'K-Bagaji'

Average Price of K-Pop Concerts Soars 60% in 10 Years
"Benefits Are Minimal Compared to Price," Complaints Raised

In Thailand, where the Korean Wave is sweeping, complaints are emerging that K-pop concert ticket prices are too expensive. Some fans have filed complaints with the Consumer Protection Board, saying the price increase is excessive.

According to local media MGR Online on the 3rd (local time), the average price of K-pop concert tickets sold in Thailand this year was around 5,270 baht (approximately 207,000 KRW). This is a 17.9% increase from 4,470 baht (about 176,000 KRW) in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to 3,302 baht (about 130,000 KRW) ten years ago in 2013, it has surged by 59.6%.

Girl group BLACKPINK. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, K-pop concert ticket prices varied between 1,050 baht (about 42,000 KRW) and 6,000 baht (about 236,000 KRW) depending on the seating. According to the media, complaints have increased among local K-pop fans that "prices have skyrocketed, but benefits are minimal."

On the upcoming 27th and 28th, the largest venue in Thailand, Rajamangala National Stadium, will host the girl group BLACKPINK's world tour 'BORN PINK' concert. Thailand is the hometown of BLACKPINK member Lisa, and among Southeast Asian countries, love for BLACKPINK is especially strong. VIP seat tickets for this concert cost 14,800 baht (about 582,000 KRW).

In February this year, tickets for the boy group Stray Kids' concert held in Bangkok were sold for up to 8,500 baht (about 334,000 KRW). In response, the local fan club visited the Consumer Protection Board in October last year to raise the issue and launched a hashtag campaign on social media saying, "Organizers should not exploit K-pop fans."

At that time, the Consumer Protection Board discussed consumer protection measures with concert ticket sellers but ultimately stated that "the government cannot regulate prices." The board explained, "Currently, there is no law to control concert ticket prices," and "prices are determined by agreement between sellers and consumers."

According to the media, complaints about ticket prices have been consistently raised in Thailand. Industry insiders explained, "Ten years ago, 70% of concert costs were covered by sponsor support, but this proportion has gradually dropped below 30%, causing ticket prices to soar."