Music Festival With Star-Studded Lineup Invites Controversy With Insanely Expensive Ticket Pricing
A music festival in Korea recently stirred up a huge controversy after it revealed tickets priced at ₩8.88 million KRW (about $6,400 USD).
On July 15, the organizers of the music festival Madly Medley issued a statement on social media, addressing the controversy around the exorbitantly priced ticket, which was referred to as the “1% ticket” on their promotional materials.
Set to take place on October 18-19 at Paradise City in Incheon, the festival recently opened up its ticket sales. The standard one-day tickets were priced at ₩118,000 KRW (about $85.00 USD), while two-day tickets sold for ₩148,000 KRW (about $107 USD). The VIP passes were priced at ₩248,000 KRW (about $179 USD). However, what drew the most attention and eventual controversy was the “1% ticket,” which was priced at a whopping 8.8 million.
This special ticket was offered with certain exclusive perks, including access to watch the concert from the main stage, exclusive entry and exit gates, unlimited alcohol, official merchandise, and an after-party invitation. However, the organizers had also mentioned that some artists might not allow on-stage viewing for safety reasons.
As soon as the tickets were announced, the 1% ticket became a hot topic online, with netizens expressing their disapproval of it. The backlash eventually grew so much that Culture Think, the organizers of the event, suspended the sales of those tickets. They also apologized to the public for the issue.
We deeply empathize with the concerns and criticisms many have raised regarding the 1% ticket. We sincerely apologize for the confusion and inconvenience caused by our insufficient explanation and lack of detailed preparation.
— Culture Think
The organizers explained that the thought behind the 1% ticket was to offer audiences a premium option and introduce perks and services that are commonly common at international festivals. However, they acknowledged their mistake and confirmed that the 1% tickets will be canceled.
Sales of the 1% ticket have now been suspended across all platforms, and full refunds will be provided to those who have already purchased it through individual contact. We once again sincerely apologize for the disappointment caused by this incident. We will carefully reflect on this and make improvements to create a healthier and more trustworthy festival culture.
— Culture Think
Meanwhile, Madly Medley festival will mark a big music event in Korea, featuring artists such as ALLDAY Project, BIGBANG‘s G-Dragon, Qwer, E SENS, Sik-k and more.
