Mexico’s President Receives Response from South Korea Regarding BTS Concerts

Mexico City – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has received a response from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung regarding her request for additional concerts in Mexico by the globally popular K-pop group BTS. The response acknowledges the high demand for BTS performances in Mexico but indicates that the South Korean government cannot directly enforce scheduling changes.

Sheinbaum’s Appeal and Korean Response

President Sheinbaum initially reached out to President Lee after local concert promoter Ocesa informed her that adding more shows to BTS’s itinerary was unfeasible. Tickets for the three already scheduled concerts in Mexico City, set to take place in May at GNP Seguros Stadium (formerly Foro Sol), sold out in under 40 minutes, demonstrating the immense popularity of the group among young Mexicans. Approximately one million fans attempted to purchase 150,000 tickets, according to President Sheinbaum.

In a letter released on February 21, 2026, President Lee expressed appreciation for the Mexican people’s affection for Korean culture and K-pop, highlighting the deepening cultural ties between the two nations. However, he explained that scheduling decisions are ultimately the responsibility of the artist and their agency, and government intervention is limited in such private sector matters. President Lee expressed hope for a positive outcome and suggested continued communication between the two countries on the issue.

Public Reaction and Concerns

President Sheinbaum shared the response from President Lee via a video posted on TikTok. While some online commenters praised her efforts to connect with young people and address their cultural interests, a significant portion of the public response was critical. Many argued that the president should prioritize addressing more pressing issues facing Mexico, such as security and corruption.

Online comments included sentiments such as focusing on cartel eradication rather than K-pop concerts, and prioritizing security for young people. Some also called for regulation of ticket scalping and fraud in the concert ticket purchasing process.

BTS’s Popularity in Mexico

Mexico is currently ranked as the fifth-largest market for K-pop worldwide, with streaming of the genre’s songs increasing by over 500% in the last five years. BTS’s comeback tour, their first in four years, is expected to be one of the biggest tours of the year.

Sources:Korea Herald, BBC News, MSN, The Korea Times