G-Dragon Bangkok Concert Cancelled: Heat Wave Safety Concerns Spark Fan Agency Protests
K-pop superstar G-Dragon has cancelled his Bangkok concert due to extreme heat wave conditions, intensifying ongoing criticism of his agency Galaxy Corporation's tour management as fans stage truck protests in Seoul.
Galaxy Corporation announced Friday that G-Dragon's August 2 concert at Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium has been postponed, citing Thailand's record-breaking heat wave and fan safety concerns. "This decision was made in light of the exceptional and record-breaking heat wave affecting the region, which has resulted in numerous heatstroke cases," the agency stated.
The outdoor venue's characteristics posed significant health risks amid the extreme temperatures. No tickets had been sold yet, eliminating refund complications.
The cancellation became the latest trigger for fan frustration with Galaxy Corporation's management. From Tuesday to Thursday, fans organized truck protests near the company's Seoul headquarters, featuring messages like "Stop slacking off and start doing your job, Galaxy CEO Choi Yong Ho!" and "Stop using G-Dragon's name to promote your brand-focus on protecting the artist!"
Problems have plagued the Übermensch world tour since its March launch. The Seoul kickoff concert began 73 minutes late, while cities like Macau, Sydney, and Hong Kong faced insufficient venue sizes and packed schedules including three consecutive shows.
Major fan grievances include:
- Unfair ticketing: Despite paying for official fan club memberships, VIP tickets for overseas concerts were released first through third-party platforms
- Poor venue planning: The Bangkok concert was scheduled during Thailand's hottest, most humid rainy season with no advance ticketing information
- CEO overexposure: Galaxy CEO Choi Yong-ho has appeared frequently in media tied to G-Dragon's activities, leading fans to accuse the agency of prioritizing brand exposure over artist protection
Galaxy Corporation, founded in 2019, focuses on AI and metaverse technology rather than traditional entertainment management. Industry executives acknowledge Galaxy "does not have a strong track record in music management" and "they've never been known for managing artists."
G-Dragon received a 20 billion KRW ($14.5 million) signing bonus when joining Galaxy in November 2023, including 10 billion KRW in stock options.
Galaxy announced in April it would pursue legal action against malicious online posts, but three months later fans report no progress or updates, raising questions about the agency's commitment to artist protection.
The global fanbase has issued specific demands:
- Transparent legal action against malicious content
- Fair ticketing prioritizing official fan club members
- Reasonable tour scheduling considering artist health
- Advance concert information and anti-fraud measures
- Reduced CEO visibility and corporate brand separation
Galaxy Corporation stated that "details about the rescheduled venue and date will be announced as soon as possible, taking into consideration the heat and rainy season." The tour continues with upcoming stops in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Newark, Los Angeles and Paris.
The incident highlights challenges when major K-pop artists transition to agencies lacking traditional music industry expertise, as mounting pressure grows on Galaxy Corporation to address systemic management issues affecting fans across multiple continents.