▲ On the afternoon of the 18th, fans are seen lined up near the Changwon Sports Park Indoor Gymnasium in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, where singer Kim Ho-joong (33) is holding his national tour concert, 'Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour 2024'. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Singer Kim Ho-joong (33), who is under investigation for a hit-and-run incident involving drunk driving, has decided not to receive payment for his participation in the concert scheduled for May 23-24.

 

Despite public pressure to cancel the performance, it appears that the concert will go ahead due to issues such as cancellation fees. 

 

According to the concert organizer DooMir, Kim's agency, Saenggak Entertainment, agreed on the previous day not to receive any fees for the 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic: Kim Ho-joong & Primadonna' (hereinafter 'Super Classic') performance. Additionally, Saenggak Entertainment will cover all ticket cancellation fees.

 

▲ Shown in this file photo, provided by Think Entertainment on June 24, 2023, is popera singer Kim Ho-joong. (Yonhap)

 

Earlier, Melon, the ticketing platform for this concert, announced on its official website that ticket refund fees for the Super Classic would be waived and that those who had already canceled their tickets would be fully reimbursed. 

 

With ticket prices ranging from 150,000 to 230,000 won, the estimated ticket sales revenue for the Super Classic is around 4 billion won. Consequently, the cancellation fees, which are approximately 30% of the ticket price, are expected to be about 1 billion won.

 

However, there are concerns that the concert may be canceled regardless of Kim Ho-joong's intentions, as members of the KBS Symphony Orchestra, who were scheduled to perform, have decided not to participate. Originally, the Super Classic was to feature members from the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, along with some members of the KBS Symphony Orchestra.

 

KBS, the event's organizer for the May 23-24 performances, withdrew its support due to Kim Ho-joong's hit-and-run allegations, leading the KBS Symphony Orchestra members to also pull out. This has led some to call for Kim Ho-joong to withdraw from the concert and compensate for the cancellation.

 

A representative from DooMir stated, "We cannot disclose specific contract details, but as long as Kim Ho-joong does not withdraw, the organizer cannot cancel the concert. Substantial costs have already been incurred for the performance, including payments to the performers and other necessary expenses."

 

The controversy continues to stir debate, with strong opinions on whether the concert should proceed or be canceled given the circumstances surrounding Kim Ho-joong.

 

▲ A photo of South Korean singer Kim Ho-joong, provided by CJ CGV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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