Over the weekend, photos from ILLIT’s highly anticipated concert “PRESS START♥︎” ENCORE in Korea began trending across Korean forums. But fans are not talking about the vocals or the choreography. They are talking about the massive sections of unsold tickets.
The Inspire Arena Capacity
On October 17 and 18, 2026, the girls took the stage for the ILLIT PRESS START Encore. The shows were held at the massive Inspire Arena. This venue boasts a daunting 15,000-seat capacity.
Visible Vacant Seats Near the Stage
Before the shows, Korean online communities were already buzzing over claims that only about 82% of tickets had been sold across the two-night run. Screenshots from the booking page spread fast, with users pointing out that even F1 seats closest to the stage appeared available. Some posts also claimed more than 60% of F3 and F5 remained unsold.
The debate grew even louder after netizens noticed reported changes to ticketing. According to a Weverse notice, BELIFT LAB raised the purchase limit from one ticket per person to two and reopened canceled tickets for sale. A fan on Reddit posted, “ILLIT themselves issued the notice to fans that they could apply to be upgraded to closer seats for free just a day before the concerts.” Also, the entire third floor was ultimately closed off.
apparently illit has so many empty seats for their concert tomorrow [nol] announced that people who already bought tickets can move their seat near to the stage so they can close off all of the 3rd floor and most of the 2nd floor 😭 https://t.co/edTudij8qx
— ᵕ̈ (@pinksbabymon) October 16, 2026
How Korean Netizens Are Reacting on Social Media
Once the doors opened, viral photos flooded platforms like TheQoo and Pann. Domestic K-netizens react to ILLIT with harsh criticism.
Illit’s concert was legendarily empty
All concerts are underselling. Companies would be better off with a small venue, and then they can add another date and even media play about selling out and demand and whatever, rather than going for these large venues and then having so many seats still available.
Illit, just like Cortis, charted well this year. Cortis sold out all their concerts in this same venue. They overestimated Illit.
I think a real popular group with a dedicated fandom would’ve been able to sell out or at least sell over 85% of the tickets; maybe the group has more casual listeners than fans. Pannchoa
Still, some of the more dramatic claims remain unverified. BELIFT LAB has not issued a confirmed official statement about the empty-seat controversy in the available reports.