Before the concert of Lim Youngwoong at the soccer stadium, which is basically the only remaining stadium in Seoul now since the main stadium won't be usable till late 2025 (officially, which in Korean lingo means mid-2026) , he set up devices to the lawn at there.
Last year, when the emergency Jamboree concert was held at there, Korean soccer fans complained that concerts harmed the lawns there.
Frankly speaking, who outside of Korea gives two cents about the Korean soccer league?
For many years I have written that Koreans have absolutely zero appreciation on KPop, and put their own interests before KPop.
Here is a Seventeen concert held at the same location.
They set up the stage in the middle of the field, and there are seats on the ground. They are using half of the stadium, as it is the standard in Korea.
But, 'to protect the lawn', Lim Youngwoong did NOT set up any seats on the ground.
It is said that he rode a balloon to show up, like this
copying the Senior Singer,
and he performed above the plastic island at the middle.
It is said that he used the whole stadium, which led to a capacity of 49,000.
But that is possible because he is a ballad singer (he is nominally trot but his current songs are indistinguishable from ballad).
Basically, what he did is to tell IU, plus BTS and others who are going to perform at the soccer stadium,
NOT to set up any seats on the ground,
pay a lot of money to set up devices to protect the lawn (it is said that the devices are going to eat up at least 20% of the concert revenue - they are not cheap),
and drive away the fans away from the stage!
How dare does he do that?
It is said that he played soccer in his school days and is friends with some players in Korean soccer league.
Still, his 'respect' to Korean soccer fans basically undermines the very reason other Kpop acts might be having a concert in the stadium, essentially forcing them to 'protect the lawn'.
That is what happens if the city authorities let anyone with a pulse to perform.
I wonder what the Senior Singer will do. Some of her songs do have performances and she will probably set up a stage, putting those who are close to her near it.
And I wonder what BTS and others who might do concerts at there will deal with this.
Given the bitter experience KPop has against Koreans, I don't think KPop acts should respect the complaints of Korean soccer fans, who are inconsequential as far as the world is concerned.
If Lim Youngwoong's actions lead KPop acts and a nonKPop act to have a smaller concert with no seats on the ground, then that would be the greatest harm he would have caused to KPop.