North Korea Concert Update: Reasons Why BTS And PSY Are Not In Pyongyang Revealed
The first day of South Korean artists' performances in the North Korea concert went through with just a minor delay at the East Pyongyang Grand Theater on Sunday. It was even attended by North Korea leader Kim Jong-un. However, many are still questioning why the two most popular acts from the South, BTS and PSY, were not in the concert. A South Korean government representative has finally revealed the reasons why.
Many are expecting that the South Korean government wouldn't exclude PSY and the Bangtan Boys since both are among the major influencers of Korean pop culture to the world, with BTS being the most popular K-pop group around the globe today. Netizens believe that if the South really wants to highlight the best of the country, they shouldn't leave out BTS.
Following the performance by South Korean artists on Sunday, a government representative met with reporters. It turns out BTS was actually considered to perform in the North Korea concert, dubbed as Spring is Coming. However, the rep said the K-pop male group couldn't make it due to the conflict in schedule, Soompi reported.
The seven-member boy band has received several accolades not only in Korea but also in important music award-giving bodies in the U.S. Most recently, they won the Favorite Global Music Star award at the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards and the Best Boy Band and Best Fan Army awards at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The boys were also named the winners of the Top Social Artist Award at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.
Why Was PSY Not Invited To North Korea Concert?
"There is an image that this side [North Korea] is imagining, and [there was the opinion that] he would stand out too much from that image," the government rep explained when asked why PSY was not included in the South Korean artists' lineup.
This suggests that PSY may have a type of music and image that Pyongyang doesn't want. There are reports that the North Korean authorities didn't want the "Gangnam Style" singer to perform in their country because of his provocative acts on stage. In addition, reportedly, the North also feels that some may get offended by the lyrics of the singer's songs.
PSY broke several music and online records in 2012, thanks to his hit single "Gangnam Style" and its music video. It is the first music video to cross one billion views on YouTube. The following year, he also released another hit single, "Gentleman."
Overall, Seoul sent to the North a 190-member troupe, including technicians, for the two-night concert. The group is led by Red Velvet, Girls' Generation member Seohyun, and music icon Cho Yong-Pil. The group also includes Choi Jung-in, Lee Sun-hee, Choi Jin-hee, Yoon Do-Hyun, Baek Ji-young, Ali, Kang San-ae, and Kim Kwang-min. The South Korean artists will hit the stage once again on April 3 for a joint concert with the North Korean artists at the Ryugyong Chung Ju-Yung Gymnasium in Pyongyang.
