Heavy rain causes PSY’s Summer Swag 2024 concert to be cancelled

Singer PSY performs during the Summer Swag 2023 show at Jamsil Sports Complex in southern Seoul on June 30. Courtesy of P Nation

By Lee Gyu-lee

Singer PSY’s annual summer concert “Summer Swag 2024” was interrupted on Saturday about an hour after the show began due to bad weather conditions.

The first of two concerts over the weekend, scheduled to take place at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, began at 6 p.m. but was soon hit by torrential rain and strong winds, causing a spotlight about five meters high on the stage to collapse. No one was injured in the incident.

“We realized that it would be difficult to continue the performance due to the bad weather conditions, which included heavy rain with strong gusts of wind and lightning. Therefore, we have decided to cancel the PSY Summer Swag 2024 performance in Gwacheon in order to give the safety of the audience and staff the highest priority,” the singer’s agency, P Nation, said in a press release shortly after the concert was canceled.

PSY’s agency said it would offer a replacement performance or refund to those who bought tickets to the concert that day. The agency added that Sunday’s show would go ahead as planned.

The singer expressed his disappointment later that evening, explaining that this was the first time he had been confronted with such circumstances.

“The sudden wind, rain and lightning was so unpredictable and a situation I have never experienced before. At that moment, the safety of the audience and staff was the most important thing. I express my deepest gratitude to the audience who reacted calmly, which I cannot express in words,” he said, also thanking the city and the relevant authorities of the venue for ensuring the safety of people returning home.

“Today, each of you has come a long way with your own expectations. However, we had no choice but to cancel the performance due to unexpected weather conditions. I was also sad to see everyone leave. Nevertheless, nothing was more important than the safety of the audience. Thank you again for your understanding.”

“Summer Swag” is one of the most popular summer concerts held here due to PSY’s energetic performance and the huge water spectacle that follows.

This year’s show, which opened in Wonju, Gangwon Province, is scheduled to be performed in nine different locations across the country, including Busan and Daegu.