Concert tickets in Korea can range in price depending on the popularity and scale of the performing artist or group. Prices are generally on the more expensive side compared to other countries, with tickets for top K-pop groups often exceeding $200 USD. However, prices also vary based on seat location and venue.
Average Ticket Prices
For major K-pop concerts at large venues in Seoul, average ticket prices are:
- Standing (floor/pit): $100 – $300+
- Lower bowl seated: $150 – $400
- Upper bowl seated: $80 – $250
For less known K-pop groups or concert halls with capacities under 5,000, tickets may be in the range of $50 – $150 on average.
Factors Affecting Cost
There are several key factors that determine how much a concert ticket costs in Korea:
Artist/Group Popularity
The most important factor is the popularity and demand for the artist/group performing. A ticket to see a top K-pop group like BTS or BLACKPINK will be significantly more expensive than a newer or less known group.
Venue Size and Location
Larger venues that can accommodate tens of thousands of fans will have higher average ticket prices. Floor seats at stadiums are generally the highest priced. Smaller concert halls have cheaper tickets on average.
Venues located in Seoul, where there is huge demand, also tend to have pricier tickets than in other regions.
Seat Location
As with most concerts globally, seats closer to the stage or in central floor/pit areas command higher prices. Nosebleed seats in the upper decks of big venues have lower relative costs.
Additional Perks
Some concert packages may offer additional perks like exclusive merch, autographed items, or access to soundcheck/rehearsals. These types of deals raise the ticket prices substantially.
Reseller Markups
The intense competition for limited concert tickets also leads to inflated resale prices on secondary markets. Resellers may mark up the costs 2X, 3X or more the original price.
Case Study: BTS “Map of the Soul” Tour
To illustrate the range of concert ticket prices, let’s examine a recent BTS tour stop in Seoul in October 2020 for their “Map of the Soul” tour.
The concerts were held at the KSPO Dome, a covered dome stadium with a max capacity of ~70,000 seats. As one of the hottest boy bands globally, demand for tickets was extremely high despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section | Original Price Range (KRW) | Original Price Range (USD) |
---|---|---|
VIP Standing Pit | 390,000 – 440,000 | $325 – $370 |
VIP Seated | 330,000 – 350,000 | $275 – $295 |
R Standing Pit | 275,000 – 330,000 | $230 – $275 |
R Seated | 242,000 – 275,000 | $200 – $230 |
S Seated | 154,000 – 198,000 | $130 – $165 |
A Seated | 99,000 – 143,000 | $80 – $120 |
As you can see, the price difference from front row VIP to upper deck nosebleeds was nearly $300. And many tickets were resold for 2-3X their face value, with some floor seats going for $1,000+.
Tips for Saving on Tickets
If you want to see a concert in Korea but don’t want to break the bank, here are some tips for saving:
Buy Early
Get tickets as soon as sales open to have the best selection before they sell out. Sign up for fan clubs and presales.
Avoid Resellers
Use official ticketing sites and fan markets like Interpark to avoid inflated resale prices.
Aim for Upper Sections
Nosebleed seats in the upper decks have the lowest face value prices while still letting you get in the door.
See Less Popular Artists
Skip the top K-pop groups and go for smaller acts where demand won’t be as high.
Look for Ticket Deals
Some sites like Interpark offer discounted ticket packages, though these tend to sell out fast.
Buying Concert Tickets in Korea
The primary ways to buy concert tickets in Korea are:
Online Ticket Sites
The major ticketing portals used for both Korean and international concerts are Interpark, Yes24, Ticketlink and Naver. These sites sell the official tickets with no markup.
Fan Club Presales
Joining a K-pop group’s official fan club often gives you access to presales before the general public. You can score tickets for popular groups this way.
Social Media Fan Groups
Joining fan groups on KakaoTalk, Facebook, etc can provide opportunities for group ticket buys and face value transfers.
Ticket Resellers
Resale platforms like StubHub Korea allow you to find last minute tickets, but often at inflated prices. Use caution to avoid scams.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, concert ticket costs in Korea depend most on the demand to see a particular artist. Prices for globally famous groups like BIGBANG can rival those of major Western artists. For less popular acts, prices are more affordable. With smart shopping techniques, you can find fair deals and enjoy live music in Korea on any budget.