IVE and HYBE Idols “Forced” to Participate in World Scout Jamboree Concert by the Ministry? Criticism Intensifies
Public sentiment regarding the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s World Scout Jamboree K-pop concert is lukewarm.
While the ministry has emphasized voluntary participation from K-pop artists, criticism of being “authoritarian” is growing instead.
On August 11th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will provide goods to all members participating in the 2023 World Scout Jamboree’s ‘K-Pop Super Live’ concert.
The related goods received by Jamboree participants include Kakao Friends character products (Griptok, Keyring, Power bank, etc.), as well as BTS photocards.
The ministry emphasized the “voluntary” participation, saying, “Kakao Friends character products and BTS photocards were voluntarily prepared by Kakao and HYBE for the Scout members.”
On August 10th, the ministry also made an unusual statement praising IVE’s participation in the concert. Despite the previous cancellation of their performance due to a venue change, IVE reportedly adjusted their schedule once again to support the event, a decision that was commended.
Minister Park Bo Gyun said, “We welcome IVE’s decision to voluntarily appear in the ‘K-Pop Super Live’ concert in Sangam-dong to honor their commitment to perform” and expressed that “IVE, a top idol group, will add to the overwhelming charm of K-pop and conclude Scout Jamboree.”
However, the ministry’s actions are fueling criticism. The move to compensate for the mismanagement of Scout Jamboree through a K-pop concert is seen as an authoritarian gesture, with controversy arising over the attempt to recruit idols to perform.
Some political figures even requested BTS’s participation in the concert, leading to debates between lawmakers.
Certain BTS fanbases, including DC Inside’s BTS gallery, issued statements criticizing the pressure exerted on the Ministry of National Defense by leveraging their status as lawmakers. They claimed that such actions went against the spirit of Jamboree and democratic principles.
Fans of confirmed artists are also expressing similar concerns. Despite the concert’s venue changing from to Jeonju World Cup Stadium due to safety reasons, and then again to Seoul World Cup Stadium due to the typhoon’s impact, there hasn’t been sufficient preparation time provided, amplifying worries.
Entertainment companies are also voicing substantial concerns. In an already tight idol schedule, groups that have confirmed their participation had to cancel their set schedules and endure idle waiting times due to the changed concert dates and locations.
Critics point out a lack of consideration for the artists. This situation arose in an atmosphere where rejecting government event invitations was difficult.
In this context, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s extensive promotion of IVE’s “voluntary participation” and Kakao and HYBE’s “voluntary support” seems to be backfiring.
Amid the controversy, the ‘K-Pop Super Live’ concert is scheduled to take place as planned from 7 PM to 9 PM KST on August 11th at Sangam World Cup Stadium. IVE, NewJeans, NCT DREAM, ITZY, Mamamoo, The Boyz, Shownu x Hyungwon, fromis_9, ZEROBASEONE, Kang Daniel, Kwon Eunbi, and more, will perform.
As criticism regarding artists being forced to perform persists, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism clarified that “KBS has entirely taken responsibility and managed the event,” and emphasized that the government did not request specific performers.
Source: Daum.
