Hanoi event canceled after K-pop stars announce last-minute withdrawals

Artists Infinite, The Wind, Highlight, and Kim Jae Joong informed through their respective agencies their decision of withdrawing from the Open Air #2 X-mas Festival, scheduled for Dec. 23-24, on Thursday, citing “the organizers’ failure to comply with contract terms.”

Their statements were followed by similar announcements made by artists Nichkhun, Jun.K, and TRI.BE on Friday.

Other Vietnamese artists in the event’s line-up, including singers Toc Tien, Tang Duy Tan, Chi Pu, and Duc Phuc, have also stated that they would not participate.

South Korean singer Kim Jae Joong. Photo from Kim’s Instagram

The event organizers subsequently published a statement on their Facebook profile, saying that they would cancel the event. They delivered a promise to refund ticket purchasers as well.

They had put out a statement Thursday, stating that there were complicated issues in the process of arranging artists’ participation through a third party agency.

Ticket purchasers have shown their disappointment with the event organizers.

Minh Hang, 23, of the Mekong Delta’s Can Tho City, said she had booked her flight to and accommodation in Hanoi a month in advance to attend the event.

“Now I don’t know whether I should cancel my trip or still go to Hanoi,” she said.

Other fans also complained that they had spent millions of dong (VND1 million equals US$41) on items like LED board ads, hot air balloons, bus decorations, and photo booth setups, which were planned to be used to welcome the South Korean artists as they arrive in Vietnam. However, these items cannot be used anymore now.

The Open Air #2 X-mas Festival event was previously criticized for its high ticket prices, which range between VND900,000-15 million. The highest-priced tickets come with several benefits including a separate check-in lane and participation in a random artist’s autograph signing session.

This was the highest price for an event relating to K-pop in Vietnam to date, as tickets to South Korean girl group Blackpink’s July concert in Hanoi were sold for VND9.8 million at maximum.

The event’s delayed announcement of the artist line-up was also highlighted by ticket purchasers.