BTS Jin's Older Brother Faces Bruno Mars Concert Privilege Allegation... "Received from an Acquaintance" Explanation

Explanation on Allegations of Preferential Seating at Hyundai Card Sponsored Concert
"General Public Gets 'Wall View'... Only Celebrities Get Premium Seats" Controversy

Jin (Kim Seokjin), a member of the group BTS, personally clarified that there was no illegal or unfair advantage regarding the allegations that his older brother received preferential treatment for Bruno Mars concert tickets. He stated that he attended using a ticket obtained from an acquaintance.

Jin's older brother, Kim Seokjoong, wrote on his Instagram on the 19th, "I feel like I caused controversy at what should have been an enjoyable concert, so after assessing the situation, I am sharing my position to prevent any further secondary damage."

The 'Hyundai Card Super Concert 27 Bruno Mars' performance held on the 17th and 18th at the Olympic Main Stadium of Jamsil Sports Complex.
[Photo by Hyundai Card]

He continued, "I received a transferable invitation ticket issued by Hyundai Card from an acquaintance who could not attend due to circumstances. It is not true that I illegally purchased the ticket or obtained it through unfair means," he emphasized.

He added, "As stated on the invitation ticket, it is specified that only the member themselves or the person who received the transferred ticket can use it," and posted a photo of the invitation ticket as evidence.

The invitation ticket states, "This performance allows entry for the invited member of The Black and one accompanying person, totaling two people. If the member cannot attend, a proxy who has received the transferred ticket may attend on behalf of the member, with up to two people allowed."

Kim said, "I did not consider that this could cause problems, and I sincerely apologize to those who suffered secondary damage because of me." The post has since been deleted.

Bruno Mars' concert in Korea.
[Photo by Hyundai Card]

Earlier, Bruno Mars successfully held the 'Hyundai Card Super Concert 27 Bruno Mars' at the Olympic Main Stadium in Jamsil Sports Complex, Seoul, over two days on the 17th and 18th. This was Bruno Mars' first concert in Korea in nine years since 2014.

Ticket sales for the general public were held over two days on April 27 and 28, selling out in 45 minutes on the first day and 25 minutes on the second day. The peak simultaneous online access reached 1.16 million.

Hyundai Card estimated that the total audience over the two days was approximately 101,000. Many domestic celebrities were also spotted at the venue, attracting significant attention.

However, there were criticisms about 'celebrity privileges' and 'excessive distribution of invitation tickets' as many celebrities occupied front-row seats at the concert.

There were numerous reports online before and after the concert about celebrities being seen in the audience, with many occupying the first-floor seats known as the royal seats. Notably, several celebrities were seated in the very front row, the 'first row.'

Idol group members from BTS such as RM and V, BLACKPINK's Jennie and Ros?, EXO, Red Velvet, Highlight, LE SSERAFIM, MONSTA X, THE BOYZ, NCT, GOT7, DAY6, and LOONA attended the concert. Singers G-Dragon, Lim Young-woong, Park Jin-young, Park Hyo-shin, Hyolyn, Sooyoung, Sunmi, actors Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Ryu Jun-yeol, Park Seo-joon, Lee Soo-hyuk, Han Ga-in, Yeon Jung-hoon, and broadcasters Song Eun-i and Jo Se-ho were also spotted.

Jung Tae-young, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Card (right), posted this photo on SNS. Vice Chairman Jung wrote, "The stormy weekend has passed. I had seen the interview scenes in advance, so I knew, but Bruno Mars truly has a cheerful and lovable personality. His diction is excellent, making conversations very easy." [Photo by Vice Chairman Jung Tae-young's Instagram]

Hyundai Card stated to multiple media outlets, "Regarding celebrity attendance, the seats in question were occupied by celebrities who received invitation tickets typically given to family, friends, and musicians personally invited by the artist during the performance, or by celebrities who attended with tickets purchased by their agencies. Hyundai Card does not separately invite celebrities."

Photo of 'wall view' seats where the stage is not properly visible [Photo source=Online community capture]

Meanwhile, there were complaints that some seats purchased by the general public for the concert were 'wall view' seats where the stage was not properly visible. As the controversy spread widely online, Hyundai Card and the concert organizer Live Nation Korea confirmed that these seats were indeed restricted view seats and refunded the ticket prices to the affected attendees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.