[theqoo] [EXCLUSIVE] KCON, EXPLOITATION IN THE NAME OF 'OPPORTUNITY'... EVEN MEAL EXPENSES ARE FULLY COVERED BY THE AGENCY

KCON LA 2025 was held from the 1st to the 3rd at Crypto.com Arena and LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, USA.

A total of 34 artists performed, creating a diverse lineup of stages. Among them, the ‘X STAGE’ was a platform to introduce rookie artists. CJ ENM promoted the event as a platform to introduce emerging artists and talented artists across various genres, but the planning behind it required significant costs. The agency had to cover all expenses for staff, including airfare, accommodation, rental fees, and even meals. Based on a group of 20 people, including members, nearly 100 million won was paid to perform on the KCON stage. Additionally, the fact that meals were not provided has sparked outrage. CJ ENM clarified that “meals were provided on-site,” but this implies that idols with free schedules had to go to the performance venue to eat.

A staff member present at the venue told My Daily, “We were already aware that we had to pay for airfare and accommodation before departure, but upon arrival, we were surprised to find that meals were not properly provided and we also had to pay for rental fees.”

Additionally, idols who performed on the main stage linked to “M Countdown” had their accommodation and airfare covered by CJ ENM. However, they also did not receive any guarantees. The main stage accepted paying audiences but did not provide guarantees, instead covering airfare and accommodation costs. Even though airfare and accommodation were supported, the travel expenses for hair, makeup, and styling staff were the responsibility of the agencies. The so-called “hair-makeup staff” costs were not as generous as before, resulting in agencies incurring losses of tens of millions of won.

A representative from CJ ENM KCON stated on the same day, “In addition to providing free performance opportunities, we are inviting local music industry professionals and offering networking and promotional opportunities. The stage content is digitally exposed through various channels such as YouTube and Mnet Plus, and it provides an opportunity to communicate closely with fans on-site. Participating artists are selected based on these considerations and the voluntary decision of their agencies.”

Recently, there has been a significant increase in overseas performances by K-pop omnibus groups. While many cases offer minimal guarantees, basic expenses such as airfare, accommodation, and meals are typically covered. However, KCON has been exploiting artists under the guise of a grand opportunity, claiming to “introduce diverse Korean culture and the global status of K-pop, as well as serve as a gateway for new artists to enter the overseas market and a platform for small and medium-sized agencies to expand globally.”

On the other hand, there are also reactions like, “Didn't they go because they wanted to?” Since they weren't forced to go to KCON, they had a choice, and it was the agency's decision to go even if they had to pay the costs. Another source bitterly remarked, “There are many teams that couldn't go even though they had to pay a lot of money. Some people couldn't even enjoy that opportunity.”

original post: here

1. Are they thugs?

2. It's pretty much the same situation with overseas award shows. The reason so many meaningless award shows pop up = there are a lot of shows created by broadcasters or media outlets, and since singers pay to prepare their stages, those organizers don't really lose anything. That said, KCON had more of an image of being an event where smaller and mid-tier idols participated more often...

3. So that's why my bias could never go near KCON... Since they're from a survival show, you'd think they'd get invited, but they never showed up even once, and I thought that was too much. Turns out it was because they're from a tiny, broke company and couldn't afford to go...

4. Whoa, so that's why they push KCON so much? From CJ's perspective, it doesn't cost much, but they can sell tickets at high prices?

5. CJ's MAMA is also notorious for mistreating artists and bossing them around to make them appear. They're total thugs. And yet the stans still watch Survival, so Mnet keeps thriving

6. It's not even a free concert. The least would be to give the ticket sales to the performers

7. No but they should at least pay their meals

8. At the minimum, they should receive a share of the ticket slaes

9. What do you mean "opportunity"? Pay the proper guarantee, you punks. This isn't some shady company doing "passion pay." You treat both idols and fans like a joke

10. Seeing how there are still so many idols who want to go even after all that, they'll probably keep doing itㅠ

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