Singer and actor Lee Seung Gi's first United States tour was met with controversy. On August 30, 2023, Lee Seung Gi held a concert at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta, but controversy arose over fan service that was considered insincere. As a result, further concerts in New York and New Jersey were cancelled.
On Friday September 1, 2023, Hankook Ilbo reported that Lee Seung Gi's concert in Atlanta was attended by 1,000 spectators in a 2,700-seat, three-story concert hall. The concert was attended by local fans and Koreans who were there. That day, Lee Seung Gi performed various hit songs.
She closed the show by singing her hit debut song “Because You're My Woman”, which was released in 2004. After the concert ended, there were bad complaints about Lee Seung Gi's fan service. Media stated that Lee Seung Gi and his staff suddenly canceled their visit to a Korean-run restaurant that sponsored his concert after arriving in Atlanta on August 28, saying the actor was not in good condition.
Quoted from KBIZoom on Sunday September 3, 2023, a representative from the company responsible for Lee Seung Gi's concert in Atlanta said, "He was not present due to special health reasons. That day, we were suddenly informed that Lee Seung Gi and the staff unable to visit sponsored restaurants."
The source also said that Lee Seung Gi did not get out of the car and they moved to another hotel without giving any explanation when they arrived at the hotel they booked, showing an inappropriate attitude. The organizers also admitted that they felt embarrassed after receiving complaints from the sponsor due to unilateral changes to the schedule.
A restaurant owner also confirmed that Lee Seung Gi canceled his visit so fans were very disappointed. Besides the concert in Atlanta which caused controversy, Lee Seung Gi also canceled his concert in New York which was scheduled for September 2, 2023.
In response to this, Lee Seung Gi's agency, Human Made, explained that the cancellation was due to circumstances related to the local concert hall. However, many people speculate that this is due to poor ticket sales. Netizens also expressed their disappointment in various online communities.
“ I was surprised to see so many empty seats at the concert, ” wrote one netizen. “ There aren't many Korean companies sponsoring Korean singers in Atlanta, so sponsorships often come from local restaurants and shops. They must have felt very embarrassed when he suddenly canceled his schedule, " wrote another netizen.
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