Seoul Deploys Location Services for BTS Concert
As part of a post-event review, the city of Seoul revealed it deployed QR-based multilingual location services for a recent BTS concert. The system provided maps and information in four languages, serving as a strong case study for using location tech to manage large-scale fan experiences and venue logistics.
The deployment of location services for a major BTS event is part of a larger trend of integrating smart city technology into large-scale public gatherings. The "BTS 'Yet to Come' in Busan" concert, held in October 2022, serves as a prime example. This free concert, in support of Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo, drew an in-person audience of around 50,000 to the Asiad Main Stadium. Beyond the main venue, the event encompassed the entire city, with live screenings at Busan Port and Haeundae Beach attracting an additional 12,000 fans. The concert also garnered a massive online audience, with approximately 49.1 million views on the fan community platform Weverse. Such a dispersed and large-scale audience highlights the critical need for effective location-based information systems to manage crowd flow and disseminate information. The city of Seoul itself has been actively promoting its smart city initiatives through events like "Smart Life Week." These initiatives focus on integrating technologies like AI and robotics into urban life to create a more inclusive and innovative city. The use of location-based services for a major concert aligns with this broader vision of using technology to improve the citizen and visitor experience. This strategy of turning a concert into a city-wide festival, as seen in Busan, is a model for future events. Various side events, themed hotel packages, and official merchandise stores were spread across the city, creating multiple touchpoints for fan engagement. This distributed event model necessitates technologies like QR-based maps and information services to help attendees navigate the various locations and activities seamlessly. The application of this technology is a direct response to the massive economic and cultural impact of events of this scale. The "BTS effect" has been shown to significantly boost local economies, with hotels and local businesses seeing a surge in demand during concert periods. By providing a technologically enhanced and well-organized experience, cities can further capitalize on this impact and solidify their reputation as premier destinations for major international events.
