CJ ENM's 'M Countdown' Held in Paris
Video of Local Security Grabbing Collar Spreads
K-Pop Overseas Concert Safety Issues Surface
CJ ENM chose Paris, France as the first European destination for its popular music program on its channel Mnet, 'M Countdown.'
'M Countdown' was held on the 15th (local time) at La D?fense Arena in Paris, France. This appears to be an effort to support the bid for the Busan World Expo scheduled a month later. On the 28th of next month, the General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) will also be held in Paris to vote on the host city for the 2030 World Expo. Countries around the world are fiercely competing for the bid. The performance on this day seemed like an all-out effort with this in mind. About 22,000 spectators attended, including Chey Tae-won, Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chairman of SK Group), and Jang Sung-min, Special Envoy of the President and Director of Future Strategy Planning at the Presidential Office.
The intention was good. Despite ticket prices reaching 400,000 won, the seats were fully occupied. About 22,000 spectators gathered to enjoy the K-pop performance. Groups such as NCT Dream, SHINee's Taemin, MONSTA X's Shownu and Hyungwon, TREASURE, ATEEZ, and ZEROBASEONE took the stage and drew cheers. A Taekwondo performance also showcased Korean charm. Psy closed the event with his 'Gangnam Style' performance, which led the K-pop wave. It was a place that highlighted the passionate enthusiasm for K-pop.
The ending was disappointing. After the performance, complaints erupted among fans. Allegations that local security personnel in Paris discriminated against East Asian spectators spread mainly on social media. Spectators who attended the event posted on social media that while Western spectators were openly filming the performance with cameras without much restriction, East Asian spectators who were quietly watching were asked to open their bags to check for cameras.
In a video posted on social media by a fan making these claims, one fan is seen lying on the ground while a security guard restrains them. Another fan nearby showed their bag to the security guard but was later dragged out along with other fans. During the process, the security personnel used excessive force, appearing to grab fans by the collar and lift them. Voices of fans watching the scene expressing shock and concern were also recorded.
Some fans who attended the event raised issues about this situation. They pointed out the organizer's negligence, citing excessive violence and racial discrimination. As related videos and posts spread mainly on social media, concerns about the safety of K-pop overseas performances have also come under scrutiny. It is unlikely that the organizers could prevent racial discrimination in a situation where even European security personnel are uncontrollable. There is growing concern that audiences at overseas performances may be exposed to violence and discrimination.
Among K-pop fans, there is a consensus that problems with security personnel at overseas performances are not new. There are frequent claims of racial discrimination against East Asian spectators. Additionally, dissatisfaction is growing over the complacent attitude of domestic and international security personnel toward K-pop concert audiences.
CJ ENM, in a press release immediately after the performance, self-praised by saying, "We proved the strength of Korean culture by thrilling audiences worldwide with differentiated spectacles combining K-culture and K-pop and the dazzling performances of global K-pop artists." Attempts to contact CJ ENM regarding the controversy have not yet yielded any official response.
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