Global artist YE (Kanye West) will hold a concert in South Korea on May 31. Ahead of ticket sales, a debate has erupted over the prices disclosed.
Last month, Coupang Play announced the concert 'BULLY' of Kanye West in South Korea. This performance is Kanye's first solo concert in 9 years since the 2016 world tour and will first showcase the live stage of the new song 'BULLY' to Korean fans. Previously, following the release of the unfinished version 'BULLY V1', the anticipation among fans has surged.
Subsequently, on the 8th of this month, the official Coupang Play site opened the page for Kanye's concert, announcing the performance poster and ticket sales schedule. However, criticism arose after the seating arrangement and pricing options were disclosed.
According to the concert information, seating grades consist of standing and assigned seats P, R, S, A, B. P seats are located on the 2nd and 3rd floors right in front of the stage, R seats are in the side area on the 2nd floor, and S seats are in the side on the 3rd floor and the front section of the 4th floor. A seats and B seats are categorized in the back section of the 4th floor, respectively, into center and side.
The standing seats are priced at 176,000 won in the front rows and 165,000 won on the sides. Additionally, assigned seats range from 250,000 won to 88,000 won. The wheelchair accessible seats are priced at 220,000 won.
The issue is the price of the VIP packages. A premium package with special MD will be provided for this concert in South Korea. The 'PREMIUM SEAT' package costs 500,000 won, which includes one assigned P grade ticket, a VIP limited laminate necklace, an official poster, and a VIP MD booth pass. The 'EARLY ENTRY STAND' costs 440,000 won and includes one standing ticket with early entry, while the 'VIP EXPERIENCE package' costs 840,000 won and includes a P grade assigned seat ticket along with a right to take photos on the stage after the performance.
In response, netizens criticized the ridiculously high prices. Even considering that purchasing only seats, not the VIP package, is not significantly different from other concerts, it is pointed out that the composition of the package is absurdly lacking compared to the price. Coupang Play had previously disclosed, "None of the VIP package components involve participation from the artist." Reactions suggested that asking for an additional 400,000 won to photograph a stage without Kanye West is an act of treating the audience as "suckers."
Moreover, the seats included in the package are in the closest section to the stage among the P seats. To sit in the best seats, one has no choice but to purchase the VIP package rather than a regular assigned seat. As a result, some have raised questions about whether it is worth paying 840,000 won to attend. However, some netizens have expressed that excluding the VIP package, there is sufficiently differentiated pricing by seat, and the prices are reasonable.
Meanwhile, Kanye West's concert 'BULLY' will be held on May 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Incheon Munhak Stadium.
[Photo] Coupang Play
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