K-pop fans vent fury at organisers as Mainland Chinese scalpers invaded G-Dragon's KL gigs

Focus Malaysia

16 hours ago

HELL hath no fury like a K-pop fan scorned.
Tickets for Korean singing sensation G-Dragon's two live shows in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend (July 19 and 20) had sold out shortly after going on sale.
In fact, they were all snapped up within hours of being made available for public sale on May 29 which left thousands of adoring fans disappointed.
Worse yet, many had to resort to tickets scalpers who re-sold the tickets at many times the face value. Thus, imagine these fans shock, disappointment and even disgust to see plenty of empty seats at the venue during both shows at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
What was even more galling was that it seemed that a large portion of the crowd seemed to be foreigners. This was based on the lack of response when the artiste conversed in Bahasa Malaysia and the unfamiliarity of many attendees with G-Dragon lyrics.
Kamen Liew's post on Facebook seem typical of the responses that are flooding social media in the aftermath of the KL gigs.
The lacklustre atmosphere was highlighted which proved hugely disappointing for this particular fan who was probably right in pointing out that G-Dragon may have been expecting more from the crowd given this was his first gigs here in eight years.
She must also be fearing that such poor crowd interaction would dissuade other K-pop performers from including Malaysia in future tours.
Similarly, many also vented their fury at the organisers – Star Planet Sdn Bhd. It was perceived that its poorly managed ticketing system has led to a scenario whereby tickets ended up with foreign fans – notably Chinese nationals – instead of locals.
if you think you want to be a successful organiser @StarPlanetMY , why don't you be a concert organiser in CHINA instead of Malaysia? you really LOVEEEE that country so much is it 😙😙😙❤️❤️ u don't even care at all about Malaysian people 🤓
— princessnrannxsa | TS 🎫 (@Annxsameerx) July 20, 2025
One fan even included video footage of the K-pop icon conversing in Malay and looking somewhat confused at the lukewarm response.
It must be noted that K-pop fans take great joy in interacting with their idols and when these stars make the effort to learn some local lingo, it is expected that appreciation be shown …. Loudly!
Alas, the seemingly poor response will reflect poorly on local FAM (name for G-Dragon fandom).
🐲: 'Korang dah makan?'
'Jumpa nanti'
'Terima kasih'
Look how he tried his best to speak in Malay but at last, he seems got confused as probably lack of ppl could confirm what he prob heard..anyway kudos to Malaysians who responded in Malay👏#GDRAGONinKL #GDinKL pic.twitter.com/4IdH3Xmh2b
— ain_BBVIP (아인)(BB's Silent Knight)🇲🇾🍀🌵🌸💛 (@BB_VIP5ever95) July 19, 2025
Further proof was presented with a video purportedly showing large sections of the crowd only singing to portions of tunes that were in their own language.
This is not the given thing as K-pop fans go to great lengths to learn and memorise tunes in the artistes' native tongue. Such poor fandom was again seen as reflecting on local FAMs or VIPs (name given to fans of his pop group Big Bang).
Proof that the crowds are not Malaysian. They only know to sing in their own language and even GD LOOKS SHOCKED as they only sing that part.
I dont blame them, i blame STARPLANET for ripped the opportunities from Malaysian fans. #GDinKL #GDRAGONINKL #GDRAGON pic.twitter.com/neVP35APgy
— Meowwww~~~~💙 (@nody_meow) July 20, 2025
Few things to note from these gigs.
Firstly, ticket scalping is nothing new. The bigger the act, the more likely it will happen. Oasis fans were subject to the same with the recent reunion concerts.
Black Sabbath's final farewell show earlier this month sold out in a record-breaking 16 minutes with scalpers making a killing on the secondary market.
It is entirely up to the organisers and to an extent, the artiste, to fix this pertinent issue.
Secondly, sold out concerts are great for the economy, more so when visitors flock to the country for those shows.
However, it is not so great for local fans who miss out on tickets. Supply and demand will determine this but something will need to be done to minimise empty seats at venues to avoid 'sold out' shows feel anything but. – July 22, 2025
Main image credit; Meowwww~~~~💙(@nody_meow)/X