2025 BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR Shuttle Operations

The BLACKPINK world tour held over two days from July 5th to 6th at Goyang Sports Complex was the first concert of their tour spanning 16 cities around the world. Approximately 5,000 foreign fans visited Korea to attend this performance, and it is estimated that over 10,000 people came, including tourists who traveled to enjoy fan events.

Goyang Sports Complex, where the concert was held, is conveniently located adjacent to the GTX (Greater Seoul Metropolitan Express Railway) and Subway Line 3, making travel between Seoul’s hubs, hotels, and the venue relatively easy. However, after 10 p.m., when the concert ended, it was far from easy for the large number of foreign attendees to return to the Seoul area using public transportation. In particular, there was a need for practical transportation measures to handle the mass movement of people and ensure their safe return home, given the risk of safety accidents caused by the large crowds immediately after the concert.

Recognizing these limitations in the local infrastructure and aiming to address them, we at GroundK took swift action.

Online system for shuttle reservations

For this BLACKPINK world tour, it was necessary to operate both shuttle packages booked through NOL Ticket (Interpark Global) for foreign attendees traveling to the concert venue, as well as regional shuttle services for those coming from other areas to attend the performance.
We at GroundK developed an online system that allowed passengers to directly select their preferred boarding locations and departure times both from hubs in Seoul and from regional areas.
This online system supported foreign languages to make it more convenient for international attendees to use the shuttle service, and it provided maps and photos of the boarding locations.
In addition, the paid shuttle service supported simultaneous domestic and international payments, making it easy for foreign visitors to use.

Establishment and operation of a system to simultaneously manage 14 hotels

For this concert, we also operated a hotel-combined package that was different from the existing format of transporting attendees from major transportation hubs within the city. NOL Ticket offers a play & stay package, which includes both hotel accommodation and shuttle services, to provide customized services tailored to the needs of foreign visitors, and this package was sold for the BLACKPINK concert as well. However, managing shuttle services in real time across 14 hotels posed significant challenges for the operations team, which is why we at GroundK participated in operating this package.
First, we conducted two rounds of site inspections at 14 hotels in Seoul to identify any potential issues and to develop operational strategies. We also revisited the hotels the day before the concert to check for any last-minute changes on-site and to finalize safety management measures and other operational details.
On the day of the concert, operational staff were stationed on-site starting from 8:30 a.m., monitoring for any issues or safety concerns that could arise before the shuttle operations began. Over the two days, we successfully transported a total of 5,000 attendees smoothly.

Shuttle Package Operations

Using Hapjeong Station as a hub, we also managed shuttle operations for a shuttle package that combined shuttle service with tickets only. First, shuttle package users were able to conveniently book their desired departure times through an individual online reservation system. On the day of the concert, ticket verification was carried out quickly and accurately using e-tickets containing QR codes, enabling smooth boarding. The system was available in multiple languages, and multilingual staff were stationed on-site at all times to efficiently assist and manage foreign attendees.
In addition, more than six staff members were stationed on-site at all times, handling safety management, vehicle coordination, and ticket verification tasks. Over the two days, we successfully transported approximately 2,000 attendees.

Securing and Establishing Shuttle Stops

Goyang Sports Complex, where the concert was held, did not have a large parking lot nearby, making it difficult to accommodate dozens of shuttle buses.
To overcome these constraints, we continuously coordinated with the City of Goyang through collaboration with the event organizers and partner companies. As a result, we successfully secured unused land provided by the city.
To ensure smooth operations of this space, we visited the site four times for thorough inspections and established plans for operating an on-site customer service center and placing safety equipment. On the day of the event, we set up a customer service center to handle attendee inquiries.

Establishment of On-Site Customer Service Center and Operation of Return Shuttles

Concert shuttle passengers sometimes choose not to take the outbound shuttle because they want to purchase merchandise or participate in pre-event activities. In such cases, a service center capable of handling inquiries about return shuttles is essential. To provide swift assistance, our team set up a customer service center at the Goyang City shuttle stop and deployed multilingual staff, enabling us to assist both domestic and international attendees simultaneously.
Since the customer service center was located within the shuttle stop area, it was also necessary to anticipate and prepare for potential safety incidents. Therefore, more than five safety personnel were stationed on-site at all times to manage vehicle movements and control pedestrian traffic flow. If any vehicles entered the area, the team ensured the safety not only of pedestrians moving through the stop but also of passengers disembarking from the shuttles.
Another important point is that during this event, more than 15 shuttle routes, including regional shuttles, were operated simultaneously. Therefore, it was crucial to manage the large number of buses in an organized manner and minimize congestion during boarding. To achieve this, after the concert began, our team designated specific zones within the shuttle stop area, organizing all shuttles as if in a terminal. As a result, when attendees arrived at the stop, they could quickly identify their designated routes and board more easily.
Of course, as the concert was nearing its end, we deployed more than eight staff members around the venue to guide attendees safely and prevent confusion while moving toward the shuttle stop. As a result, after the concert, all attendees were able to leave the venue, reach the shuttle stop, and board the shuttles in a safe and orderly environment.

“GroundK’s Transportation Services Connecting K-POP Stars and Global Fans as One”

Every year, countless foreign tourists come to Korea to experience K-POP culture.
For them, transportation is more than just a means of travel—it has become an important part of the journey, marking both the beginning and the end of their encounter with the artists they love.
It was highly meaningful for GroundK to be able to accompany the audience on their journey during this BLACKPINK concert as well.
GroundK will continue to provide advanced transportation services based on the experience and expertise accumulated through various concerts and large-scale events held in the past, helping event organizers realize their operational plans. As a reliable partner on this journey, we are committed to delivering the best possible transportation experience, enabling fans of diverse nationalities to fully enjoy the cross-border culture of K-POP.