Today in K-Pop

BTS fans are criticizing alleged price gouging by Busan accommodations ahead of the group’s concerts in the southern port city, taking to online forums to condemn skyrocketing room rates. One room typically costing 60,000 won ($40) per night reportedly spiked to 760,000 won during the concert period, sparking widespread outrage among fans. BTS will hold concerts in the city on June 12 and 13 as part of its “ARIRANG” world tour. The dates overlap with the group’s debut anniversary on June 13, raising expectations that domestic and global fans will travel to Busan in large numbers. The Busan Metropolitan Government is also preparing related events. Fans criticized the accommodations for excessive rate hikes capitalizing on surging demand surrounding the event. The Fair Trade Commission and the Korea Consumer Agency said they checked 135 Busan hotels and motels, finding average concert-week room rates more than doubled compared to the weekends before and after the event. Motel rates more than tripled from normal levels, while hotel rates nearly tripled. Some properties set prices mo

BTS

A wave of Korean celebrities is publicly criticizing divorce-themed reality shows for sending what many describe as random and intrusive casting messages to happily married couples. The controversy resurfaced after the wife of former NRG member Noh Yoo-min on Thursday shared screenshots showing messages of producers from JTBC’s divorce-counseling reality program who had contacted her about appearing on the show. She said the invitation was not the first one the couple had received. “Sometimes we get annoyed with each other, but not enough to divorce,” she wrote on social media. “We’re going to stay together until we die, so please stop messaging us. We’re soulmates.” The message she shared included an apology from the production team, which said, “First of all, if receiving this message made you uncomfortable, we sincerely apologize.” The issue has sparked wider discussion online about how aggressively Korean relationship reality shows are recruiting cast members as divorce-focused programs continue to gain popularity. Earlier this month, Ok-soon from Season 15 of the hit