On the 21st, as BTS holds a comeback performance, a kimbap shop near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul rolls kimbap to order. /Courtesy of Kim Gwan-rae

On the morning of the 21st, when BTS's comeback concert is being held. The business district around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul was busy from early hours. More than 10 hours remained until the concert began, but customers flocked to kimbap shops, convenience stores, and cafes as the so-called "BTS effect" kicked into full gear.

On this morning, the manager of a kimbap shop near Gwanghwamun, a person surnamed Choi, 50, was rolling kimbap nonstop with employees. The kimbap that usually sold 500 to 600 rolls a day had already surpassed a full day's sales in just two hours of morning business.

A nearby convenience store saw a similar scene. The store was packed with foreign "ARMY" fans who came to Korea to see the BTS concert. As customers poured in every 10 seconds, unshelved items were left on the floor. The convenience store owner said, "We ordered dozens of times more stock than usual, but customers have been flooding in since the morning, and it's hectic."

On the 21st, as BTS holds a comeback performance, deliveries pile up at a convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. /Courtesy of Lee Ho-jun

BTS will return as a "complete group" for the first time in about 3 years and 9 months with the comeback stage "BTS Comeback Live: ARIRANG." The concert will be held at 8 p.m. on the 21st around Gwanghwamun Square.

According to Seoul City's real-time urban data, the floating population around Gwanghwamun Square was between 12,000 and 14,000 as of 9 a.m. on the 21st. Although 11 hours remained until the concert began, the floating population was increasing by 30% every hour. Police expected about 260,000 people to crowd in on the day.

Large orders from staff busy with last-minute concert preparations also continued. A nearby toast shop received a group order for 600.

Owner a person surnamed Park, 63, said, "We usually sell more than 1,000, but today we prepared about twice the ingredients," adding, "We've already sent out 300, and we're making an additional 300." Park added, "It's tough, but I feel good because I can see sales going up."

On the 21st, as BTS holds a comeback performance, Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul bustles with people from the morning. /Courtesy of Lee Ho-jun

A kimbap shop owner near Jonggak Station, a person surnamed Kim, 57, came in at dawn to prepare ingredients. Kim said, "It's two to three times the usual amount," and added, "It would be nice to do this often since residents can relieve stress and business is good."

A major franchise cafe had three additional headquarters employees dispatched. That's because many foreign customers were expected to have trouble with kiosk operations or ordering menus. A store representative said, "We prepared inventory expecting sales to be about seven to eight times the usual," adding, "We also received support from staff at other branches."

On the 21st, as BTS holds a comeback performance, albums are displayed in front of a convenience store near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. /Courtesy of Lim Hee-jae

Not every shop is benefiting from the boom. Restaurants with low table turnover have limits on how many customers they can seat, so some cannot significantly increase ingredients.

A barbecue restaurant owner near Gwanghwamun Square, a person surnamed Lee, 46, said, "During the Cheonggyecheon festival in Dec. last year, we prepared more ingredients expecting more customers, but there wasn't much difference," adding, "The number of customers we can take is almost fixed, so we prepared as usual today."

Some shops adjusted business hours to avoid congestion. A cafe owner, a person surnamed Park, 51, said, "It doesn't look like getting off work will be easy, so without overreaching, I plan to close at 7 p.m. as usual."

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