BTS's first full-group performance since completing military service is causing ripples from Seoul's Gwanghwamun Square to as far as India.
An Indian tutoring academy posted a notice warning students against skipping class to watch the concert, which will be livestreamed globally on Netflix.
Seoul Braces for Massive Crowds
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced extensive traffic controls via emergency text message on Thursday.
Sejong-daero, stretching from Gwanghwamun Square to City Hall Plaza, will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Saturday. On the day of the concert, Sajik-ro will be shut down from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saemoonan-ro from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Authorities expect up to 260,000 people to gather for the group's first official stage with all members since their military discharge.
Starting at 3 p.m. Friday, entrances to City Hall, Gyeongbokgung, and Gwanghwamun subway stations will close. Trains will pass through without stopping.
Police will deploy approximately 6,000 officers and install metal detectors at 31 entry points to manage the venue at stadium-level security. Four additional trains will be added to Lines 2, 3, and 5 after the show to handle departing crowds.
Indian Academy Warns Against Concert-Related Absences
A post circulating on Korean online communities highlights the global reach of BTS fever.
A math academy in India posted on social media: "March 21st is a regular class day."
"It has come to our attention that some students have been falsely informing others that the academy will be closed on March 21st," the notice read. "That day is a regular class day. There will be no closure."
The academy added: "We have received information that students are planning mass absences to watch the BTS live concert streaming on Netflix. Strict action will be taken against unexcused absences." Parents were urged to ensure their children attend class.
The concert runs from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Korea time, which falls between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in India—directly overlapping with academy hours.
Korean internet users have responded with amusement. Comments included: "Indian teachers having headaches because of BTS is incredible," "This is their first full-group concert after military service—of course fans are desperate," and "They should just let them watch for one day."