SOURCE: BTS 컴백 D-2 광화문은 축제, 결혼식은 비상… 예비부부들 ‘발 동동’
"There are only two days left, I'm worried about what happens if the roads get blocked. I'm especially concerned about the elderly guests."
Son (36), a bride-to-be who will hold her wedding on the afternoon of the 21st at the Korea Press Center, can't put her phone down these days. Although she should be excited right now, her expression is far from bright. The reason is because the BTS concert taking place at the same day at Gwanghwamun square.
On the 19th, Son said, "It's obvious that my guests will wander on the street since it is announced that the traffic will be controlled from Gwanghwamun to the City Hall Station," adding, "Even though it's supposed to be a happy day for me, the first thing I can think of is 'What if (my guests) can't make it?'"
Her anxiety is clearly visible even on her mobile wedding invitation. Instead of joyful messages, it is filled with instructions like "Get off at Euljiro 1-ga Station," "No vehicle access," and "Walking recommended." She sighed deeply, saying, "There are only two days left, and yet I'm still making calls to guests one by one to explain the directions."
While this concert, that is expected to draw 260,000 people, is a festival for fans worldwide, it has become an unavoidable 'bolt from the blue' for some soon-to-be-married couples. Wedding venues are usually booked a year in advance, but the concert schedule was only announced in mid-January of this year. Even if they try to change dates now, cancellation fees ranging in millions to tens of millions KRW make it difficult.
An official from the wedding industry near Gwanghwamun stated, "Saturday reservations during peak season are impossible to replace," adding, "Even if we receive requests to change schedules, there is realistically no way to do so in most cases."
Jung (30), who will hold her wedding near Gwanghwamun Station on the 22nd, is also heavy-hearted. She said, "My family members are coming up from Pohang and Changwon, they will stay at a nearby hotel the day before. It seems impossible even just to get around because of the crowds. I'm most worried they won't even be able to have proper meal."
Some businesses are taking early precautionary measures to avoid the crowds. A yoga studio owner in her 30s near the venue decided to cancel all Saturday classes. Meanwhile, an academy director (34) plans to switch to online classes for the day. Even the large bookstore Kyobo Book Center's branch in Gwanghwamun will also close earlier, from 10 PM to 4 PM.
