Taiwan fans seek divine help to secure K-pop band BTS concert seats

Taiwanese fans of BTS are turning to the Taoist god of love, Yue Lao, in hopes of securing tickets to the group’s upcoming Kaohsiung concerts. The social media trend sees devotees offering BTS-themed items at temples, believing divine matchmaking can help connect them to a concert seat.

Yi-Chin Lee and Ann Wang / Reuters

1 June 2026 at 02:39:50

Taiwan fans seek divine help to secure K-pop band BTS concert seats

K-pop fans, mostly BTS fans, lay out snacks, group merchandise, concert seat maps and wish lists on an altar table as they pray to Yue Lao, the god of love in Chinese mythology who oversees relationships and marriage, at Taipei’s Bangka Lungshan Temple, in hopes of securing a concert ticket, in Taipei, Taiwan, May 30, 2026.

Ann Wang / Reuters

TAIPEI — Taiwanese fans of K-pop boy band BTS are turning to Yue Lao, the Taoist god of love and marriage, in hopes of divine assistance in securing tickets and seats for the group’s upcoming concerts in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan.

“It’s really hard to get tickets for BTS concerts, so everyone says praying to the God of Love is the most efficient. After all, it’s another kind of matchmaking,” said fan Jessie Chuang, 26.

Over the weekend, groups of K-pop fans — mostly BTS supporters — gathered at Taipei’s Bangka Longshan Temple, arranging offerings on an altar table. The displays included snacks wrapped in purple packaging, the group’s official color, along with BTS merchandise, concert seat maps, and written wish lists.

The practice, which began circulating on social media a few years ago, reflects a growing belief among some fans that Yue Lao can use his mythical red thread of fate to connect destined pairs — in this case, linking fans with coveted concert seats.

“If you truly believe in it, your wish will come true,” said university student Ye Yu-ting, 22.

BTS last performed in Taiwan with all members in 2018. The group announced its long-awaited world tour earlier in 2026 and is scheduled to perform three shows in Kaohsiung on November 19, 21, and 22.

-Reporting by Yi-Chin Lee and Ann Wang; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Jamie Freed/Reuters