Netizens Compare BTS Gwanghwamun Comeback To The Martial Law Shut Down As List Of Disruptions Expand

The inconveniences were listed up.

What was meant to be a historic comeback for BTS has now become the center of a growing controversy. Following the group’s large-scale performance at Gwanghwamun, a detailed list of inconveniences experienced by ordinary citizens began circulating online, and it quickly went viral.

The list outlined widespread disruptions across central Seoul, including the following.

• Full non-stop service suspension and entrance closures at major subway stations (Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung, City Hall)
• Possibility of full non-stop service and entrance closures at other major stations (Euljiro Entrance, Anguk, Jonggak, etc.)
• Bus detours
• Restrictions on rentals and returns at 58 bike stations (Ddareungi)
• Sejong Center and Sejong Grand Theater: scheduled performances/exhibitions canceled and closed
• Gyeongbokgung Palace and National Palace Museum closed
• National Palace Museum of Korea, National Folk Museum, National Museum of Korean History, Ilmin Museum, Sehwa Museum, Art Chosun Space, Korea Financial Museum, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Deoksugung branch) closed
• Libraries and all library classes restricted
• ₩38.0 million KRW (about $25,200 USD) of taxpayers’ money spent on garbage cleanup
• Delivery schedules changed and excessive delivery fees charged
• 17 storage lockers closed starting Friday
• Restrictions on gatherings at Gwanghwamun
• Full road closure of Gwanghwamun Square for 33 hours (Sejong-daero)
• Commercial facilities forced to close early and some restaurants temporarily shut down
• Rooftops and access controlled at 31 commercial buildings
• Wedding guests subjected to hand-scanner checks and invitation verification
• Employees forced to take annual leave due to the concert
• Parcel delivery restrictions in the Jongno area
• Unauthorized drone signal jamming
• Crackdown on unofficial goods sales (even stationery items that normally aren’t regulated)
• Suppression of negative media coverage
• HYBE/Seoul City allegedly avoiding responses to engaged couples affected, leading to police bus deployments at wedding venues
• Promoting using the “king’s road” and referencing crown princes, yet the actual released songs are entirely in English
• Random checks on citizens in the Gwanghwamun area, including ID checks and requests for resident registration numbers and fingerprint verification
• Citizens and merchants affected by week-long fence installations receive no compensation or discussion of compensation
• Despite taxpayer money being heavily used for a private company event, officials only ask for understanding from inconvenienced citizens without issuing any apology

A viral tweet described the situation as “the martial law,” referencing the lockdown in 2025.

계엄령임? pic.twitter.com/qwZciwPBtD

— 에리스🌻🪸 (@miss_shibazzang) March 20, 2026

Some even said it was worse.

계엄은 그냥 푸데푸데하다 끝났음
이건 계엄보다 더하노 https://t.co/Qms4X82WZ7

— 코라 (@kola74875334) March 20, 2026

The martial law ended after some snoozes. This is even worse.

kola74875334

계엄령은 ㅅㅂ 3시간만에 끝나기라도했지 얘네는 대체 며칠동안 몇명의 사람한테 피해를주는거냐 개노답 https://t.co/CY4FaTR1iX

— 개백수 (@kebeaksu) March 20, 2026

The martial law ended after 3 hours, f*ck, but they’ve been inconveniencing so many people for days. Frustrating.

kebeaksu

In a bid to show off the nation’s soft power, it seems like the government took things a step too far, neglecting the locals. As discussions intensify, the Gwanghwamun concert is now being remembered not just for its performance, but for the citywide impact it left behind.

BTS