Statement on the 22nd: "Proud to Contribute to the Nation, Will Support Busan Expo Bid"
On the 19th, BTS is holding a commemorative photo with the appointment plaque at the 2030 Busan World Expo Ambassador Appointment Ceremony held at HYBE Entertainment in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "We at HYBE and BTS will do our utmost until the end to ensure that the Busan concert becomes a cornerstone in paving the way for the successful bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo."
On the 22nd, HYBE released an official statement regarding the 'BTS Yet To Come in Busan' concert (hereinafter referred to as the Busan concert), held to support the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.
As controversies continued, including issues related to the costs of the Busan concert, HYBE appeared to take a concrete stance. Previously, the Busan concert, initially planned as a free concert, was reported to incur production costs of approximately 7 billion KRW. Since Busan City is not providing separate support, HYBE, as the organizer and host of the concert, must bear these costs entirely.
Furthermore, on the 21st, it was reported that the '2030 Busan World Expo Bid Committee' sent sponsorship request emails for BTS's performance costs to ten major companies, leading to criticism that the government exerted pressure on companies regarding the Busan Expo event.
Regarding the costs of the Busan concert, HYBE explained, "Significant expenses will be incurred, and a substantial portion of these costs will be covered through corporate sponsorships, online streaming advertisements, and ancillary projects related to The City Project." They also stated, "Any shortfall not covered by these funding methods will be borne directly by our company."
HYBE further emphasized, "HYBE and BTS have focused on achieving valuable outcomes rather than costs when participating in national events," adding, "Both our company and BTS have participated in various national events, driven by a desire to contribute to the nation and society, without prioritizing cost issues."
They particularly noted, "We fully understand that the costs involved in such events are difficult to cover sufficiently with government funds," and added, "Since government support originates from taxpayers' money, we have always approached government assistance with caution."
HYBE stated, "If BTS had considered costs as the most important factor when participating in national events in the past, it would have been difficult to achieve the many significant results for our country and the world. We have focused on the process to deliver high-quality outcomes in events involving BTS and have been satisfied with the results, which we believe were meaningful."
They continued, "However, there is one thing we cannot compromise on: the level of the stage where BTS performs. Even if the world's top artists participate in national events, we cannot compromise on the quality of the stage." They added, "This applies equally to the upcoming Busan concert. We are fully committed to ensuring a high standard not only for the stage at Busan Asiad but also for various side events, focusing solely on producing the best results."
Moreover, HYBE stated, "Our goal is to create an excellent concert that generates the expected value in attracting the 2030 Busan World Expo. This is the sole aim of both our company and BTS," and expressed pride in contributing to the nation.
BTS was officially appointed as ambassadors for the 2030 Busan World Expo on July 19. To gather global attention and support for Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, BTS plans to engage in various promotional activities, starting with the global concert 'BTS Yet To Come in Busan.'
In response, Big Hit Music, a label under HYBE and BTS's agency, announced that the Busan concert would be held at a special stage in Ilgwang, Gijang-gun, Busan. However, concerns were raised about limited infrastructure and transportation, prompting Big Hit Music to change the venue to Busan Asiad Main Stadium. The concert is scheduled for October 15.
Below is the full official statement from HYBE.
Regarding BTS's Busan concert, we would like to share the following.
Hello, this is HYBE.
We would like to express our position regarding the “2030 Busan World Expo Bid Commemorative Concert BTS ‘Yet To Come’ in BUSAN” (hereinafter “Busan concert”), scheduled for October 15 at Busan Asiad Main Stadium.
First, in response to media inquiries about the costs associated with the Busan concert, we have stated that significant expenses will be incurred, and a substantial portion of these costs will be covered through corporate sponsorships, online streaming advertisements, and ancillary projects related to The City Project. We have also informed that any shortfall not covered by these funding methods will be borne directly by our company. BTS will perform at this concert without a separate appearance fee, which aligns with the artist's past intention to hold free concerts for many fans.
Despite these explanations, we regret that controversies surrounding the Busan concert have arisen, and we would like to clarify our position in detail.
HYBE and BTS have focused on achieving valuable outcomes rather than costs when participating in national events.
Both our company and BTS have participated in various national events, driven by a desire to contribute to the nation and society, without prioritizing cost issues. We fully understand that the costs involved in such events are difficult to cover sufficiently with government funds. Additionally, since government support originates from taxpayers' money, we have always approached government assistance with caution.
The costs associated with the Busan concert are no exception. The government, local authorities, and the bid committee are doing their best to support the concert by providing the venue and allocating limited budgets. Furthermore, we believe it is not desirable for the resources of the government, local authorities, and companies working to secure the 2030 Busan World Expo to be heavily invested or depleted due to the concert.
If BTS had considered costs as the most important factor when participating in national events in the past, it would have been difficult to achieve the many significant results for our country and the world. We have focused on the process to deliver high-quality outcomes in events involving BTS and have been satisfied with the results, which we believe were meaningful.
However, there is one thing we cannot compromise on: the level of the stage where BTS performs. Even if the world's top artists participate in national events, we cannot compromise on the quality of the stage. This applies equally to the upcoming Busan concert. We are fully committed to ensuring a high standard not only for the stage at Busan Asiad but also for various side events, focusing solely on producing the best results. Our goal is to create an excellent concert that generates the expected value in attracting the 2030 Busan World Expo. This is the sole aim of both our company and BTS.
HYBE and BTS take pride in contributing to the nation.
Every year, BTS receives requests to participate in events planned by various countries and organizations worldwide. While they cannot accept most of these requests to focus on their artistic roles, BTS has actively participated in truly important and meaningful national or global events, contributing and achieving significant results.
Among these, participating in major events for our country has always been an important opportunity for both BTS and our company. The fact that BTS, a global super IP, and HYBE, a company with major bases in three countries, originated in South Korea is an unchanging foundation. BTS and HYBE believe that dedicating efforts for our country, the world, or South Korea's contribution to the world is a source of pride as Korean citizens.
HYBE and BTS want to support the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.
The 2030 Busan World Expo is expected to bring tens of trillions of won in economic effects to Busan and South Korea, with a scale larger than the World Cup as a single event. The phonograph and TV, which laid the foundation for popular music, were first introduced at World Expos. As a venue showcasing inventions and new technologies that constitute modern civilization, there should be no doubt about why securing the 2030 Busan World Expo is important for our country and why efforts must be made to win the bid.
Moreover, South Korea is considered an 'underdog' in the competition to host the 2030 Busan World Expo. Our country has a history of overcoming disadvantages and achieving excellent results, and BTS exemplifies this history of overcoming and growth. We believe everyone must unite to show a remarkable comeback in securing the 2030 Busan World Expo, and BTS and our company have decided to contribute to this effort.
HYBE and BTS want to make Busan a stage that the world focuses on through the concert.
Approximately 60,000 fans and 2030 World Expo officials from South Korea and many other countries will gather for the concert and offline events held at Busan Asiad and throughout Busan. Additionally, more than 150 times that number of viewers worldwide will watch the live streaming broadcast of the concert. Over ten million fans and officials will see and experience Busan.
During this short period, many people will focus on the Busan concert and simultaneously see Busan as a candidate city for the 2030 World Expo. Shouldn't we make these people potential supporters of the 2030 World Expo? If thorough preparations are made to widely promote Busan through this grand event, the Busan concert will contribute, even partially, to securing the 2030 Busan World Expo, and BTS and our company will take pride in that alone.
With less than four weeks remaining until the Busan concert, we will strive to contribute even a little to the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo together with BTS. There may be various obstacles along the way, but BTS and our company will do our best until the end to ensure the Busan concert becomes a cornerstone in paving the way for the successful bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo. We would appreciate the public's interest and support.
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