▲This photo shows scene of "KAMP LA" 2022 K-pop concert. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo, a captured image from Twitter, shows empty concert. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo, provided by a reader, shows empty entrance of stadium. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

▲This photo, a captured image from Twitter,  shows idols and fans. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

 

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- K-Pop concert held in Los Angeles (LA), USA on Saturday (Local time) was held as a half-event due to the "no show" caused by casts' non-issuance of visa.

At "KAMP LA 2022," prepared by a Korean entertainment company KAMP Global, nearly half of the 15 teams in the casts failed to perform on the stage.

K-pop stars such as BamBam, Jeon Somi, Kai, Lapilus, Taeyeon, Zion.T failed to appear as their visas were not issued.

KAMP issued an online statement right before the concert when casts' visas were rejected and notifi absence of seven teams to fans. However, it did not give an exact explanation as to why the visa problem arose.

An official from a public institution in Los Angeles, in a phone call with Yonhap News, said, "KAMP had predicted that 80,000 spectators would gather," adding, "However, many k-pop fans have given up to watch the concert."

The concert was held at Rose Bowl Stadium, , a large stadium in Los Angeles County, for two days until Oct. 16.

Local fans, who were excited to meet K-pop stars, could not hide their disappointment at the sudden no-show.

Fans posted complaints on social media such as Twitter, saying, "KAMP stole my money and blew up half of the cast" and "KAMP ruined the show."

Some said, "I will sue the organizers to compensate for my financial loss and trauma."

Tickets for the first day of this concert were sold for $198 to $500 (about 280,000 won to 720,000 won). Some fans flew from eastern New York to western LA to attend the concert or flew to the U.S from other countries.

One netizen complained, "I have paid for an expensive concert ticket, plane ticket, and hotel just to see Kai," adding, "Pay back for my damages."

Angry fans demanded a refund, and many have given up on going to the concert.

Unlike other K-pop events, the area around the entrance was quiet when entry opened.

All seats except for the standing area around the stage were not fully filled, and even rained, subsiding the atmosphere even more.

One fan expressed her sadnesss, saying, "I wanted to see Taeyeon and Zion.T in person, but I'm sad and angry."

However, it was the K-pop idols and local fans who kept the show goinging.

Five teams, including P1 Harmony, T1419, Momoland, iKON, and Super Junior performed in the rain with all their hearts and souls, and the fans responded with cheers.


(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)

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