On September 5, Saram Entertainment released an official statement, saying, “There is information circulating about Lee Soo-hyuk’s fan meeting in China that is not true,” and disclosed the detailed schedule based on the on-site timeline.
According to the agency, rehearsal attendance lasted about 15 minutes (12:00–12:15), the fan meeting took 4 hours and 30 minutes (14:00–18:30), and photo-taking and hi-touch events lasted about 2 hours (19:00–21:00). The agency explained that the total time was 9 hours, and excluding breaks, the actual event duration was approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Saram Entertainment emphasized: “This fan meeting was a meaningful event where the actor personally met fans for the first time in 10 years. Lee Soo-hyuk put in great effort and sincerity throughout the preparation process, including posters, titles, stage videos, and photoshoots. Our company continuously monitored the actor’s condition and intentions.”
Regarding Lee Soo-hyuk’s stance at the time, the agency added: “The actor repeatedly expressed his desire to give his best since it had been so long since meeting fans, and this sincerity was reflected in him spending more time with them than originally planned.”
As for the event delay, the agency explained: “After the fan meeting ended, due to safety concerns, the organizers asked him to wait until all fans had exited the venue. The actor only left once everyone had departed.”
They further addressed the venue’s temperature issue: “It is true the venue was unexpectedly hot. The cause was insufficient air conditioning.”
The agency concluded: “Going forward, we will be more considerate of both our artists and fans, and we will do our utmost to ensure that neither our artists nor fans experience discomfort at any official domestic or overseas events.”
Previously, on August 30, Lee Soo-hyuk hosted his solo fan meeting, “Eternal Magic Hour: 赫然心?”, which sold out in just two minutes—an impressive feat showcasing his popularity. However, the event quickly turned into a nightmare.
According to a September 1 report from Taiwanese outlet EBC, Lee was subjected to 12 hours of non-stop labor, forced to sign thousands of autographs due to overselling of tickets by the organizers. Originally planned as a 6.5-hour event, the meeting extended nearly double its length, all while the air conditioning at the venue failed, causing Lee to suffer from dehydration. Worse, he was allegedly threatened with statements like “Don’t think about leaving China until you finish signing.”
Fans who attended the event described Lee’s pale face and unsteady walk as he exited the venue. Social media was flooded with photos showing the actor drenched in sweat, yet smiling through the ordeal for the sake of his fans. One witness commented, “Even though he looked overheated and at risk of collapse, he kept smiling so fans could leave with happy memories.”
Following the backlash, Saram Entertainment, Lee’s agency, issued a statement on September 3. However, the response was seen as vague and inadequate, using terms like “unforeseen circumstances” and notably thanking the organizers —a move that further fueled fans’ anger.
The agency stated: “We deeply regret the unforeseen circumstances that occurred during this event. We will do our best to move forward in a better direction.”
Fans were quick to respond in the comments:
- “Please take better care of Lee Soo-hyuk.”
- “Why are you thanking the organizers?”
- “Do a background check on organizers and demand respect for artists next time.”
The timing of this controversy is particularly sensitive. Lee left YG Entertainment and signed an exclusive contract with Saram Entertainment on July 14, making this fan meeting his first major public event under the new agency. Fans are now demanding a proper apology, transparency about what actions will be taken against the organizers, and better safeguards for artists at international events.
Sources: nate, daum
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