"China fan meeting 'exhaustion controversy'... agency issued second explanation and Lee Soo-hyuk also spoke directly"
Regarding the 'exhaustion controversy' surrounding actor Lee Soo-hyuk's China fan meeting, the agency released detailed schedule information as a second explanation, and afterward Lee Soo-hyuk himself also issued a statement.
On Sept. 9 the agency 'Saram Entertainment' said, "false information is spreading regarding the China fan meeting, so we are providing accurate information," and released the detailed on-site schedule. According to the agency, there was a 15-minute rehearsal observation, a 4-hour, 30-minute main fan meeting performance, and benefit events such as photo sessions and high-touch that lasted about 2 hours, for a total schedule of about 7 hours.
Earlier Taiwan EBC reported that Lee Soo-hyuk signed autographs for nearly 12 hours for thousands of fans, but the agency denied this and explained, "It was a chance to meet fans in person for the first time in 10 years, and the actor actively participated in the entire preparation process." It added, "Although the performance ran later than scheduled because the crowd was hotter than expected, we continuously checked the actor's condition and intentions, and the actor repeatedly expressed that he 'wanted to do his best for fans he had not met in a long time.'"
Regarding the venue temperature issue, it acknowledged, "The site was indeed hotter than expected and the cooling facilities were insufficient," and said, "We will prioritize the safety and convenience of artists and fans in preparing all official events in the future."
The fan meeting took place in Hangzhou, China as 'Lee Soo-hyuk 1st Fanmeeting in Hangzhou,' and sold out all seats within two minutes of ticket opening. However, controversy spread as reports emerged of the venue's air conditioner malfunctioning, suspicions of excessive ticket sales, and eyewitness accounts that the actor carried out the schedule while soaked in sweat.
On Jan. 22, Lee Soo-hyuk appeared on the YouTube channel 'Study King True Genius' and directly explained. He said, "I thought I was the only one hot because of the stage lights, but I felt the fans must have suffered a lot too," and explained, "It's not like we did something for 12 hours." He added, "Because they are people who like me, I wanted to do or give something more. I don't think a fan meeting is something to do lightly."
When co-guest Hong Jin Kyung mentioned her popularity in China, Lee Soo-hyuk said, "It might be because many people watched The Night Watchman," attributing credit to the fans and the work. He also said, "For the time being, I plan to focus on filming dramas," and described his future activities.
As the agency's detailed explanation and the involved party's account followed the controversy, the need to inspect fan meeting operations and safety management has also been raised
[Photo] 'YouTube'
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