Busan Transportation Corporation will introduce Korea's first digital ticketing service to ease congestion at metro stations ahead of the BTS World Tour "Arirang in Busan." The aim is to reduce the ticket-counter lines and passenger crowding that recur at every major concert and festival, while also improving convenience for foreign tourists.
Busan Transportation Corporation said Tuesday that it will operate a "simplified mobile ticket payment service using dynamic QR codes" during the BTS World Tour performances at Busan Asiad Main Stadium on Dec. 12-13.
The service will run at 17 major stations, including Sports Complex Station and Sajik Station near the venue, as well as Busan Station, Seomyeon Station, Yeonsan Station, Suyeong Station, and Haeundae Station. With an estimated 55,000 spectators expected each day during the performances, the service focuses on simplifying the ticket purchase process to reduce congestion inside stations.
Passengers can access the mobile ticket purchase page without installing a separate application by scanning a QR code attached to customer information machines inside stations with their smartphones. After selecting an adult or youth ticket and completing payment, a mobile ticket is issued immediately, and passengers can board right away by scanning the issued QR code at the turnstile reader.
The corporation has significantly enhanced convenience for foreign tourists. The purchase page supports four languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese (simplified and traditional). Beyond domestic credit cards, foreign payment methods including KakaoPay, Alipay+, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and UnionPay can also be used, improving accessibility for foreign visitors.
Security has also been strengthened. The ticket purchase link is provided through a dynamic QR code system. Unlike conventional static QR codes, the access address is not fixed, which the corporation explained reduces the risk of so-called "Qshing" crimes involving QR code forgery or alteration. Qshing, a combination of QR code and phishing, refers to a method of stealing personal or financial information through malicious QR codes.
Starting with this BTS concert, the corporation plans to flexibly expand the service to events that draw large crowds, such as the Busan Fireworks Festival.
"We introduced this service to solve the station congestion problem that recurs at every major event through technology," said Lee Byung-jin, president of the corporation. "We will continue to expand digital-based services so that both citizens and tourists can use the metro more conveniently."
