K-pop diplomacy: Mexico’s Sheinbaum asks Lee for more BTS shows
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally appealed to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for additional BTS concerts in Mexico, the world's fifth-largest K-pop market.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Sheinbaum said her letter requested more shows beyond the three scheduled at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City on May 7, 9 and 10.
“Around 1 million young people want to buy tickets, but there are only 150,000 available,” she said.
While seemingly innocuous, the appeal has sparked debate within the K-pop industry.
Some insiders noted that the request should have been directed to Hybe, BTS’ management company, rather than the South Korean president. One official noted that world tours are carefully planned based on market research, venue availability and artist schedules, leaving little room for last-minute additions.
BTS has previously added extra shows in cities such as Tampa, Stanford and Las Vegas in response to strong ticket demand, and additional dates in Japan and the Middle East are expected.
Ticket sales probed
The controversy coincides with frustration among Mexican fans, many of whom failed to secure tickets during the initial global sale.
The Mexican consumer watchdog has opened an investigation into Ticketmaster and is probing resale platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo for “abusive and disloyal practices.”
Original tickets ranged from roughly 1,800 to 17,800 pesos ($100–$1,030), while resale prices soared to as much as 92,100 pesos ($5,300).
Why is K-pop big in Mexico?
Mexico is one of the world’s most passionate K-pop markets, with over 14 million fans on Spotify alone. Streaming of Korean pop music has grown more than 500% in five years, and fandom culture thrives through social media, fan art, themed events and community initiatives.
“K-Pop artists connect with fans by being real and speaking openly about their feelings, which really resonates with young listeners in Mexico,” said Alejandro Grageda, head of music at Spotify Mexico.
“They also promote an optimistic vision of the world—something that inspires fans to dream, believe in something better, and build strong, supportive communities together,” Grageda added.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
