As Seoul prepares to limit concert seating at the World Cup Stadium beginning in 2025, fans of K-pop star IU are voicing their concerns over the city's management decisions.
In an official statement, the IU Gallery expressed relief that her concert scheduled for next week at the stadium will proceed, but criticized the city's incompetence regarding stadium management. They attributed the grass issues at the stadium solely to the Seoul Facilities Corporation, urging city officials to take responsibility and apologize to the public. Furthermore, the fan community felt that the public narrative incorrectly implied that the upcoming concert led to the seating restrictions.
After concerns arose about the stadium's grass condition following a recent match, the city announced that ground seating for cultural events would be restricted starting next year. However, they confirmed that IU's concert would go on as planned, despite the ongoing debate surrounding the grass maintenance. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by event organizers and city management.
The IU Gallery also pointed out that the Seoul Facilities Corporation has a significant history of generating revenue from events at the World Cup Stadium, elevating expectations for proper management practices. With multiple concerts planned, including IU's, the financial implications were emphasized as they urged for accountability regarding grass maintenance issues. Fans are calling for transparent investigations to prevent similar problems from recurring in the future.
This situation underscores the passionate engagement of K-pop fans and the critical role of proper venue management in ensuring successful events. As the city navigates its responsibilities, it remains to be seen how the unfolding events will impact the reputation of its iconic venues.