BTS is not taking any chances when it comes to public safety. Its label, Big Hit Entertainment, has announced the cancellation of BTS's 4-day concert in Seoul, South Korea citing the coronavirus outbreak. Many of the BTS ARMY in the country have already donated their ticket refunds to Korea Disaster Relief Association that is helping in battling the illness.
Big Hit made the announcement as South Korea reported rapidly increasing COVID-19. The announcement came just hours after BTS dropped the official music video of "On," the lead track of their latest album Map of the Soul: 7. Earlier this week, BTS also held a press conference in an empty hall, also due to the virus.
The Billboard Music Awards' Best Group winner was originally set to kick off their concert tour this year on April 11, 12, 18 and 19 at Jamsil Olympic Stadium. However, Bit Hit said they wouldn't want to put the health and safety of the fans, concert staff, and artists at risk.
The label noted that they are expecting 200,000 people to attend the canceled shows. According to Big Hit, abrupt cancellations would also cause problems to the movement of production staff and fans that would come from other countries.
The agency apologized to fans who are waiting for the septet's concert. Though they are expecting that the situation will improve by April, they are still not taking any chances to hold big assemblies by that time. It added that all of the tickets will be fully refunded.
BTS ARMY lauded the decision of Big Hit and BTS to cancel the events in Seoul for the safety of everyone. Many ticket holders in Korea have already refunded their tickets and donated the amount to Korea Disaster Relief Association. Some fans are also setting up accounts for the donations from international ARMY.
"God please give those people the best seat on the next concert," one fan wrote in response to the fans donation. "I LOVE THIS FANDOM SO MUUUUCCCCHHHHHHH. Boys must be so proud of them!!!!," another commented.
As of early Friday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 2,000 confirmed COVID 19 cases in the country. At least 13 have died so far.
Meanwhile, no changes have been made in other tour dates of BTS set in the U.S. With the cancellation in Korea, it means BTS's Map of the Soul world tour will officially kick off on April 25 in Santa Clara, California.
