The group BTS, invited by Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, visits the National Palace of Mexico and greets fans from the balcony. Yonhap News (Reuters)
Wherever the group BTS goes, it generates astronomical economic ripple effects.
Currently on a North American tour, BTS is invigorating cities across the globe and being received with state-guest-level honors.
On the 7th in Mexico City, Mexico, ahead of a concert, BTS met with President Claudia Sheinbaum at the official invitation of the presidential office. President Sheinbaum extended a welcome, noting that many locals had long been waiting for BTS’s performance, and chatted with the members. The Mexican government honored them as ‘Distinguished Visitors’ (Visitantes Distinguidos) and presented commemorative plaques.
The group BTS visited Mexico’s National Palace at the invitation of President Claudia Sheinbaum (center). Courtesy of BIGHIT MUSIC
Most notably, the presidential palace balcony was opened so that President Sheinbaum and the BTS members could greet fans directly, filling the nearby Zocalo square with a sea of people. It is reported that about 50,000 people, including the ARMY fandom and citizens, gathered in the square, and some fans welcomed BTS holding signs written in Korean such as ‘BTS is always in the heart of Mexico.’
The economic value of BTS’s visit to Mexico is beyond imagination. The Mexico City Chamber of Commerce estimated that the three concerts on the 7th and 9-10 would generate an economic impact of about $107.5 million (approximately 155.7 billion KRW). Beyond ticket sales, the entire city is expected to enjoy a clear ‘BTS boom’ in lodging, dining, and tourism.
Fans crowd the square to see BTS, who visited Mexico’s National Palace. Yonhap News (Reuters)
The earlier concert in El Paso, Texas, also left a legendary mark. The El Paso County commissioners proclaimed the 2nd and 3rd as ‘BTS Weekend’ to coincide with BTS’s visit and presented every member with the ‘Estimado Amigo’ award, akin to honorary citizenship. The city’s landmark ‘Star on the Mountain’ sculpture was even lit up in purple, the color symbolizing BTS.
Before the shows, Brooke Underwood, executive director of El Paso’s tourism agency, told local media, “The two-day BTS concerts will deliver an economic impact of about $75 million (approximately 110.5 billion KRW),” expressing high expectations.
Fans crowd the square to see BTS, who visited Mexico’s National Palace. Yonhap News (Reuters)
As the first Korean act to perform at El Paso’s Sun Bowl Stadium, the concert drew reviews calling it “a venue of solidarity and exultation beyond borders,” and, with fans from around the world pouring in, showcased the ‘BTS effect’ as the city’s entire infrastructure sprang to life.
BTS, treated as economic partners on a national scale beyond being artists, is expected to continue exerting influence. After wrapping up in Mexico, they will pass through major North American cities including Stanford and Las Vegas, and in June will hold a special debut-anniversary concert in Busan. From July, they plan to bathe Europe in purple across Madrid, London, Paris, and Munich, and in the latter half of the year they will press on with tours in South America and Southeast Asia.
