K-Musical Culture
08 Paper Ticket
Korea
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In most theaters, paper tickets remain the standard, though QR codes and mobile tickets are increasingly offered. Strict verification is the key difference from Broadway: the person picking up the ticket must match the original buyer, and resale or casual transfer is not allowed. Even if an audience member arrives late, tickets can only be left with designated ushers after confirming the recipient’s phone number. Some venues now use online tickets with less rigid checks, but overall, the system emphasizes preventing misuse and ensuring that tickets go directly to the intended holder.
Paper tickets in Korea
QR-based online tickets of Broadway
Broadway
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On Broadway, paper tickets are still available, especially for same-day purchases at the box office, but digital ticketing has become the norm. Mobile tickets through apps or digital wallets (such as Apple Wallet or Google Pay) are widely used and often required by official ticketing platforms. Ushers simply scan the QR code or barcode at entry, eliminating the need for ID checks unless tickets are held under special circumstances such as group sales or will-call. This streamlined process reflects the different approach to resale in the U.S., where tickets can be legally transferred.
