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| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-03-27 10:52:23
SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- Visitors to K-pop supergroup BTS’s comeback performance in central Seoul were led by those in their 40s, suggesting the group’s fandom is expanding beyond younger generations, data showed Friday.
According to data tech firm IGAWorks, a total of 163,964 people entered a 1-kilometer radius of Gwanghwamun in Seoul between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on March 21.
Of them, 41,570 were from outside the greater Seoul area, indicating the event drew nationwide travel.
By age group, women in their 40s accounted for the largest share at 21.79 percent, followed by men in their 40s at 13.30 percent. Women in their 50s (12.15 percent) and women in their 30s (12.05 percent) came next, showing that people in their 30s to 50s formed the core audience.
In contrast, the proportion of visitors in their 20s and younger was relatively low.
By gender, women outnumbered men across all age groups, though male participation was also notable, particularly among those in their 30s to 50s.
While not all visitors to the Gwanghwamun area during the time period can be definitively identified as BTS fans, many are believed to have visited the site for the performance or due to interest in the group, despite police control measures and crowd congestion.
The findings are seen as evidence that the K-pop fandom, traditionally centered on teenagers and those in their 20s, is expanding to middle-aged demographics.
The analysis was based on estimates combining mobile data and location information, excluding users whose primary activity area is Jongno Ward. The company said the data is intended to identify visitor characteristics and movement patterns rather than provide an exact headcount.
An industry official said BTS’ fandom is no longer limited to a specific age group and is expanding across all generations, adding that its influence on cultural content and consumer markets is expected to grow further.
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