Lee Seung Gi has been facing backlash recently from Korean-American communities in the U.S.
The singer-actor had a concert in Atlanta last August 30 as part of his first-ever American leg of his tour. He reportedly canceled his visits to several Korean restaurants in Atlanta to which he agreed in advance through KakaoTalk text messages with his U.S. tour management company, Hugh Entertainment.
Lee Seung Gi was supposed to visit three restaurants to have photographs and autographs with his fans in return for sponsoring his concert and providing meals for the crew according to the reports.
The singer-actor reportedly pulled out of his commitment due to reasons of having ill health or “experiencing low physical condition.” These three restaurants that he was scheduled to visit aired their disappointment with the last-minute cancellation that led to the disappointment from his fans although it was unsure whether the decision was made by Lee Seung Gi himself or his management company.
It was also reported that he rebuffed the offer to stay at the suite room of the Hilton Embassy Suite in Atlanta’s Koreatown area of Duluth saying that the hotel was “unsuitable for his level.” He reportedly left for another hotel with a board director and his company CEO which led to the staff making extra adjustments.
Furthermore, Lee Seung Gi then canceled his concert in New York City that was scheduled on September 2. His agency in Korea stated the reason as “unfavorable location venue conditions” and refrained from giving additional information.
According to Hugh Entertainment, they have stated that out of only 949 of the 2,800 available seats at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta were sold for his concert. Out of the said number, only 499 of these were regular sales while the rest were complimentary.
On September 4, Lee Seung Gi’s agency, Human Made, responded to the issue, stating that the Korean star and the agency did not agree to hold an official event at the said restaurants; however, “it was advertised on social media as if it was an event.”
The official statement reads:
“Hello. This is HUMAN MADE.
This is our position regarding our artist Lee Seung Gi’s concert in the United States.
First, we would like to inform you about the fan service controversy. HUMANMADE and Lee Seung Gi never agreed to any form of fan meeting being held at the restaurant. The relationship of the restaurant [being a] sponsor was carried out by a local performance agency. Moreover, we are completely unaware of the details of the contract between them, and we would like to inform you that the artist and our agency have absolutely nothing to do with it, especially in the financial aspect.
We express our regret that [reports] maliciously tried to damage the artist by labeling some of the staff and their acquaintances who were at the restaurant on that day as those who represent all Koreans living in the United States.
Lee Seung Gi is always deeply grateful to fans who come to his concerts and fans who always show interest and support him. Our agency and Lee Seung Gi will continue to do our best to prevent any misunderstandings with fans. Thank you.”
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