On the 8th, the Korea Popular Music Performance Industry Association (hereinafter referred to as the Korea Music Performance Industry Association) expressed deep regret to the city and mayor of Gumi for unilaterally canceling the private performance in relation to Lee Seung-hwan’s Gumi concert scheduled for the 25th of last month, and expressed its sincere regret to the audience and those who suffered damage as a result. A statement was issued demanding a sincere apology and compensation to those involved in the performance.
Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho said in an emergency statement last month, “Unfortunate events such as the refusal to sign the pledge regarding the purpose of establishing the Culture and Arts Center (‘not to engage in words or actions such as political instigation or misunderstanding’), and unpredictable physical clashes have occurred.” “Considering the fact that it cannot be considered not to be done, we are inevitably canceling the rental,” he said.
The Music Association criticized the cancellation of this performance, saying, “It is an act that goes beyond one artist and ignores our country’s pop music performance industry and pop culture and arts as a whole.”
In addition, “Lee Seung-hwan’s Gumi performance is known as a so-called rental performance prepared as part of a national tour, not a joint planning with local governments or an invitational performance with a guarantee,” he said. “Isolated from the claims of some citizens who had nothing to do with viewing the performance. Taking this into consideration, easily losing the opportunity to enjoy culture for the users who prepared the performance through due process, the audience who waited for it, and other citizens of Gumi, rather than the city and the market, is treating popular culture and art as tools or appendages of politics. “It can be said to be proof that he is thinking,” he pointed out.
According to the Music Association, the city and the mayor have not taken a position on the damage to Lee Seung-hwan, as well as more than 1,000 audience members, performance planners, participating companies, and personnel, as well as relief and compensation measures, from the cancellation notice to the present.
The Music Association said, “As is already known, December 25th of last year was the peak season for the performance market, and the above-mentioned people lost not only the precious time and considerable expenses that had been promised from early on, but also planning costs due to the sudden cancellation notice. “We demand that the city and mayor provide a sincere apology and a quick and practical compensation plan to those who have suffered direct or indirect damage due to the unilateral and sudden cancellation notice,” he said.
“We demand that this incident lead to clear standards for performance cancellations and that these standards be operated transparently and objectively,” he said. “The Music Association will continue to do its best to protect the rights and interests of artists, audiences, and performance officials.” He added.
On December 23 last year, Gumi Mayor Kim Jang-ho announced that he would cancel the rental of Lee Seung-hwan’s concert, citing concerns about physical clashes between the audience and conservative right-wing groups. In response, Lee Seung-hwan released the pledge presented by the mayor of Gumi saying, “Do not incite politics,” and said, “We will respond legally.” Afterwards, audiences and citizens also continued their protest by posting criticism on the Gumi City website.
In addition, Seunghwan Lee announced on his SNS that he would file a lawsuit against the mayor of Gumi for damages related to the cancellation of the Gumi concert.
Economy Queen Reporter Kim Kyeong-eun Photo News 1
.