Red Velvetrecently found herself at the center of a heated online debate after a photo from her solo concert in the US surfaced and quickly went viral. The image, posted on a popular online forum, appeared to show a significant number of empty seats at his October 30 show, prompting harsh comments from some netizens.
This wasn’t the first time K-pop groups struggled to fill venues overseas, and the conversation quickly expanded beyond just one artist. Wendy’s had already canceled its scheduled stop in Atlanta previously, and its remaining dates were reportedly suffering from slow ticket sales. Many fans pointed the finger at his agency, citing overpriced tickets and a clear lack of promotion.
Despite the chatter, much of the online community rushed to Wendy’s defense. Fans pointed out that the success of a concert is not measured solely by attendance. «It’s not that I didn’t try… on the contrary aespa didn’t sell out all the shows”, one user pointed out. Another wrote, “What if the place wasn’t full? Wendy seemed genuinely happy, and so did the fans. That’s what matters.”
Comparisons with other top performers also emerged. “Only UI she managed to completely fill a US tour as a female soloist. Also Jenny I couldn’t,” noted one comment, highlighting the immense difficulty of such feats even for the most famous stars.
Others have criticized double standards in the industry. “She is mocked while male idols or other groups face much less criticism for the same issue,” claimed one fan. “Why is Wendy chosen?”
Ultimately, Wendy’s solo venture, regardless of ticket sales, represents an important personal milestone and point of connection with her fans. The enormous support he has received online proves one thing: for many it is not a question of numbers, but of heart, presence and joy shared between an artist and his audience.
Sources: Pan
