Big Hit Is Extending Its Concert Lottery System and ARMYs Are Worried They Won't Get to See BTS

Some BTS concert tickets might just be a little harder to get ahold of from now on, as BTS's parent company Big Hit Entertainment plans to introduce a lottery-style system to purchase concert tickets internationally.

During a corporate briefing on August 21, Bang Si-Hyuk (also known as BangPD), the CEO behind the South Korean entertainment company managing both BTS and TXT, announced plans to gradually extend the “concert raffles” to BTS events across the globe. The system — where fans have to purchase an official ARMY fan club membership in order to enter a raffle to access a selection of allotted seats — was first put in place in Korea during BTS’s 5th Muster in Seoul and Busan back in June, and will also be used in the upcoming Love Yourself: Speak Yourself final tour stops at Seoul’s Olympic Stadium in October.

Now that Big Hit has plans to extend it to international dates as well, according to an official press release, it means fans from overseas might also have to purchase an ARMY membership on Weply (currently priced at $30 plus shipping for the physical goodies) in order to have access to the “best” seats (i.e. the floor seats closest to the stage as well as soundcheck passes).

“We understand fans experienced difficulties due to waiting for ticket purchases and illegal ticket sales in the past. In order to improve unfair practices, we introduced the lottery system for BTS’ fan meeting in June and the upcoming Seoul concert in October. We are planning to gradually introduce (the system) for overseas tours in the future,” Big Hit’s co-CEO Yoon Seok-jun explained during the briefing — per Kpop Herald.

Going off those recent events, ARMYs with a valid membership will enter a raffle for a chance to win the right to purchase the most coveted spots in a venue. If someone wins the raffle but can’t attend the concert, the ticket gets freed and another ARMY gets the chance to purchase it at its original price. On top of that, ticketholders’ ID verification is 100% required, meaning you’d only be able to get into the concert if you are the original buyer — leaving little to no space for resellers.

However, as many ARMYs pointed out, apart from the extra cost, the new measure could also hinder the already-slim chances of getting barricade spots or even seating together with fellow ARMY friends. “So youre [sic] telling me that you have to buy a $50-$60 membership to be able to enter a raffle for for [sic] a chance to win $200-$400 tickets that you might not even get because its [sic] a RAFFLE?! bighit are you KIDDING ME,” an ARMY pointed out on Twitter after seeing the announcement.

“Are you f*cking telling me I'll NEVER get barricade because I'll have to enter a raffle from a membership that costs $60 and then I won't even get it and I'll NEVER see my boys up close?? I'm actually really sad rn I am literally BROKE wtf bighit,” another one added. “Honestly my biggest complaint about the possible raffle situation is that it will separate people from their friends/family.. Like could bh atleast [sic] make it to where we can win two seats together?” another fan commented.

However, not everyone is against Big Hit’s plans — some see it as a beneficial move. “I genuinely believe the raffle system is a smarter and better way for ticketing sales. It’s impossible for scalpers to get their hands on tickets, fees are nearly non existent, and the memberdhip [sic] comes with SO MUCH and is just one payment for a year," an ARMY said on Twitter. “Wow a lot of people seem to be complaining about the oversees [sic] concert lottery? I'm personally glad they're finally doing this. Its is a great way to eliminate scalpers,” someone else commented.

“The Bighit raffle system is only for early access tickets & floor seats! The other seat will be available for regular purchase. I for one like this idea because I'm tired of seeing the same fansites getting the floor seats at every show,” one added. “Seems like a lot of people are upset about the floor seats raffle...I think it's a great idea. Less stress then [sic] sitting there praying your computer gets through. No increase in prices to buy them later for x4 the price. Less crazy fan sites. I'm down,” another one commented.

There seems to be a distinct division among ARMYs who are already anticipating BTS’s next tour, but Big Hit is yet to disclose when they intend the new system to go into effect for international dates (or if it will at all).

However, they did disclose the lottery system is only one of the many plans the company has lined up for the near future — as a new K-Drama based on BTS’s formation, another BTS mobile game, and the creation of a new girl group are all in development and slated for 2020 releases.

Teen Vogue has reached out to Big Hit Entertainment for further comment.

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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue