Advance bookings for the live cinema screenings of BTS’ “ARIRANG” tour opened Wednesday at 10 a.m. (KST) across South Korea’s three major multiplex chains — CGV, Megabox and Lotte Cinema.
The screenings will broadcast two concerts live: the April 11 performance in Goyang and the April 18 show in Tokyo. Each event will run for about 180 minutes, delivering the energy of on-site performances to movie theaters nationwide.
Globally, the live viewing is scheduled to take place in more than 3,500 theaters across 75 countries and regions. Some locations will offer delayed broadcasts due to time zone differences, with additional venues expected to be announced.
In South Korea, the event will be shown at 26 Megabox theaters, 45 CGV locations and 28 Lotte Cinema sites. Ticket prices are set at 59,000 won per seat, about one-third of the minimum 198,000 won required for in-person attendance at the Goyang concert.
By contrast, demand for BTS’ free performance at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21 was overwhelming. More than 100,000 fans rushed to secure 15,000 seats on Feb. 23, selling out the allocation within seconds.
Early figures for the cinema screenings, however, point to more moderate interest.
As of 10:14 a.m. Wednesday, 243 of 298 seats had been sold for the April 11 screening at the COEX complex. In Mokdong, 45 seats remained available out of 318. Sinchon showed 32 seats unsold, while Sangbong and Hongdae also recorded sizable vacancies.
Overseas markets showed a similar pattern.
At an AMC Theatres location in Burbank, California, only five tickets had been sold by late afternoon local time. In Malaysia, two TGV Cinemas branches reported minimal or zero early sales for the April 18 broadcast.
Industry observers say the figures reflect fans’ continued preference for live, in-person concerts, even as alternative viewing options expand.
“With BTS returning as a full group after nearly four years, many fans still place the highest value on being there in person,” a local distributor said. “Cinema screenings are viewed as a secondary choice.”
With the April concerts approaching, ticket sales for both on-site performances and theater broadcasts remain ongoing, leaving room for a possible late surge in demand.
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