Latest news with #StarPlanet
Sinar Daily
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Star Planet denies claims of Chinese-only language and ticket scalping at G-Dragon KL concert
Concert organiser Star Planet has denied allegations that signage and announcements at the G-Dragon concert in Kuala Lumpur were predominantly in Chinese, following backlash from local fans on social media. In a statement released by the company, its Chief Operating Officer Carmen Liew clarified that it is inaccurate to state that signage and announcements were predominantly in Chinese, noting that all international events use bilingual materials in both English and Chinese. "For the G-Dragon concert in particular, live announcements were also made in Bahasa Malaysia and essential notices were likewise available in Bahasa Malaysia,' the organiser told Sinar Daily. The company added that it has taken note of public feedback and will consider incorporating more Bahasa Malaysia in future events involving K-pop or local artists. "That said, we've noted the feedback and will certainly consider incorporating even more Bahasa Malaysia for future K-pop or Malay artist events," she added. The G-Dragon concert, part of the K-pop star's highly anticipated world tour, took place at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on July 19 and 20. Social media users had voiced frustration over the high number of attendees from mainland China and alleged that Malaysian fans were sidelined. Another point of criticism involved ticket scalping, with fans accusing the organiser of insider ticket sales to buyers in China. One viral post alleged that all VVIP, VIP and Cat 1 tickets were snapped up by agents and resold at inflated prices, while genuine fans were left with limited options or forced to buy at mark-ups. Fans also raised concerns that the ticketing system lacked security, with no codes required during the fan club presale, making it vulnerable to bots. Some users also claimed their tickets were cancelled over suspicious activity, while scalper tickets remained valid. Accusations were also made that tickets under the 'FAM' category were distributed through insider networks linked to the organiser. Star Planet again has firmly denied the claims. They said the allegations of ticket scalping are entirely baseless and without any supporting evidence. "We want to firmly reiterate that Star Planet had no involvement in any insider ticket sales for the G-Dragon tour. "It is also important to note that all ticketing activities or actions for a world tour of this scale are conducted under close oversight and require coordination and approval from multiple parties, including the tour's official management," said Liew. The company added that ticketing activities for international tours require oversight and approval from multiple parties, including the tour's official management, to ensure transparency and compliance with global standards. Addressing one specific case that went viral, the company said a ticket was voided due to suspicious activity but reinstated after verification. Star Planet acknowledged the global problem of scalping and said it is working with its ticketing partner to improve bot-filtering systems for future events. "We fully understand the frustration and disappointment experienced by fans who were unable to secure tickets for this highly anticipated event. "Scalping remains a widespread issue globally and presents an ongoing challenge for event organisers. "To address this, we are in active discussions with our ticketing partner to explore and implement more advanced bot-filtering solutions aimed at minimising scalper activity and ensuring fairer access for genuine fans for upcoming shows," she said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Übermensch' Malaysia concert: G‑Dragon faces backlash, local fans upset over scalping and poor crowd engagement
K-pop star G‑Dragon recently performed in Kuala Lumpur on July 19 and 20, and fans were very excited for his comeback. But instead of a joyful experience, many Malaysian fans felt disappointed. G‑Dragon's concert left fans disappointed G‑Dragon's much awaited Übermensch concert in Kuala Lumpur took place on July 19 and 20, and while it was supposed to be a special comeback for Malaysian fans, the experience turned out to be frustrating for many, despite the high expectations, fans were left upset due to issues with ticket scalping, empty VIP seats, a quiet crowd, and the feeling that local fans were ignored. Even before the concert started, problems began with the ticket sales. Many fans complained that it was nearly impossible to buy tickets and accused scalpers of buying them in bulk. Organisers, Star Planet, did try to address this by re-releasing a small number of tickets. Though the event was officially sold out, many seats were visibly empty when the show began. This led people to believe that scalpers failed to resell the tickets, leaving gaps in the audience. Adding to the suspicion, fans saw lots of VIP lanyards left behind at the registration counter, still unclaimed even after the concert had started and though some of those seats were eventually filled, fans believed they were mostly taken by international visitors rather than Malaysians and upset the local crowd, who felt left out of their own country's event. Lack of excitement and energy during the show And another thing that disappointed fans was the lack of excitement and energy during the whole show. Usually, K‑pop concerts in Malaysia are full of loud cheers and a lively atmosphere but this time it's not the same even when G‑Dragon spoke a few lines in Malay to connect with the audience, the reaction was quite dull. Some believe this was because many of the people in the crowd were foreigners who didn't understand the language, which might explain the lack of response. Things got emotional As with most sold-out concerts, many fans who couldn't get tickets gathered outside the venue, just hoping to hear or see a bit of the performance. But this time, things got emotional. Videos on TikTok showed fans chanting and even booing, asking the organisers to let them at least peek inside. The mood turned emotional when members of G‑Dragon's team came out to meet the fans. They collected letters and messages for G‑Dragon from the people waiting outside. Some fans were even seen crying as they shared how much they loved him and how sad they were to miss the show. These emotional clips quickly went viral online, and many fans called out the organisers for not doing more to support local fans who had been waiting for years for G‑Dragon's comeback. Organisers have not responded to the criticism So far, the organisers, Star Planet Malaysia, have not responded to the criticism or released any official statement. Although G‑Dragon's performance and stage setup were praised, the overall experience left many Malaysian fans heartbroken. Now, fans hope that if G‑Dragon or BIGBANG ever return to Malaysia again, the organisers will ensure better planning and fairer treatment for local supporters.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why was G-Dragon's Übermensch concert in Malaysia ‘frustrating'? All about ‘unfair' treatment of local fans and scalping issues
K-pop legend G-Dragon recently held his two-day Übermensch concert in Kuala Lumpur on July 19 and 20. The show marked a major event for fans, especially those in Malaysia who had been eagerly awaiting his comeback. But despite the impressive stage production and G-Dragon's star power, the weekend ended on a bitter note for many local fans. G-Dragon's KL concert faces scalping controversy Even before the concerts began, ticket sales had drawn controversy. It's due to alleged scalping and difficulty for local fans to purchase tickets. Organiser Star Planet attempted to tackle the issue by re-releasing a limited number of tickets. However, the move only stirred fresh concerns when fans noticed unusual patterns at the venue. Once the gates opened, attendees observed numerous empty seats, raising eyebrows given the event was officially sold out. Fans pointed to the possibility that scalpers, unable to resell tickets, had caused these gaps in the audience. Further fuelling suspicion was the sight of many VIP lanyards left untouched at the registration counter. They were still unclaimed even after the show had started. Though those empty spots were eventually filled, many fans believe they were occupied by foreign buyers, not locals. It deepened frustration over how tickets were allocated. G-Dragon's Malay moments fall flat K-pop fans are known to celebrate idols who make the effort to speak in their local language. It's often a highlight of any K-pop show in foreign country. But during G-Dragon 's concert, his attempts to connect with the audience in Malay were met with a noticeably muted response. Some fans speculated that the lack of energy could be because many in attendance didn't understand the language. This possibly points again to the heavy presence of non-local fans in the crowd. For a region known for its loud and passionate fanbase, the subdued atmosphere felt out of place. G-Dragon's team comforts tearful fans outside Malaysia show As is common during sold-out concerts, several fans chose to gather outside the venue to experience the event from afar. However, this time, the scene turned emotional. Viral TikTok videos showed fans chanting and booing, calling on staff to open the doors so they could catch even a glimpse of the show. What made it even more emotional was the reported appearance of G-Dragon 's team. They approached the crowd to collect supportive messages for the artist. Many fans, some in tears, shared heartfelt notes. They expressed both their love for G-Dragon and their sadness at not being able to see him perform live. The clips touched fans across the internet, with many calling out the organisers for not doing more to accommodate local supporters. No response yet from G-Dragon concerts' organisers As of now, Star Planet Malaysia has not released an official statement regarding the allegations and backlash. While G-Dragon's performance was praised for its creativity and stage presence, the overall concert experience left a sour taste for many. Fans now hope that should G-Dragon, or BIGBANG as a full group, return to Malaysia, the event will be better organised.
Hype Malaysia
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
From Alleged Empty Seats To Crying Fans Outside The Venue: Things That Went Down At G-Dragon's KL Concert
Over the weekend, K-pop icon G-Dragon (권지용) held his highly anticipated 2-day 'Übermensch' concert in Kuala Lumpur. Ever since ticket sales went live, the show has been a hot topic among Malaysian fans due to issues surrounding scalping and foreign buyers. Concert organiser Star Planet attempted to address the scalping problem by re-releasing a few hundred tickets; however, they were soon met with fresh accusations. Although the concert itself was amazing, on the first day, Malaysian fans, including influencers, highlighted several concerns about the event, alleging unfair treatment by the organiser. This appeared to confirm some of their suspicions about what had been going on behind the scenes. Here's a breakdown of what happened during the performance that left many Malaysian fans upset. Empty Seats After the venue gates were opened, fans claimed that many seats remained empty despite the concert being sold out, suspecting that scalpers had been unable to resell their tickets in time. Those waiting outside also alleged that a significant number of VIP pass lanyards were left unclaimed at the registration counter, even after the concert had started. Thankfully, the seats were eventually filled, as observed by several fans, including TV presenter Hani Fadzil. However, this did not entirely dispel allegations that many of the seats had been secured by foreign fans. Reactions to G-Dragon Speaking Malay As Malaysians, we love hearing our favourite idols attempt to speak our national language during their appearances, and we often cheer in appreciation of their efforts to interact with us. However, local fans who attended the weekend shows claimed that there was hardly any reaction from the crowd when G-Dragon spoke in Malay, despite his attempts to engage with the audience. This fuelled suspicions that a significant portion of the audience were not locals and therefore could not understand what the idol was saying. Influencer Alex HKF also noted that the rapper spoke very little Malay on Day 2 of the concert, although this may have been due to health reasons, as he appeared to be conserving his energy. Crowd Comparison to Other BIGBANG Members 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 — Meowwww~~~~💙 (@nody_meow) July 20, 2025 As many may know, two other BIGBANG members had performed in Malaysia prior to G-Dragon's concert. A video circulated on TikTok highlighting the contrast in local fans' excitement during those shows compared to G-Dragon's. The clips showed an electric atmosphere at the previous concerts, with fans singing and dancing along to the songs. In contrast, at G-Dragon's show, particularly among those in the front row, the crowd appeared less enthusiastic, with little crowd participation or singing. This led to speculation that many of those in prime spots were foreign attendees. Local Fans Enjoying the Concert From Outside the Venue It's not uncommon to see fans enjoying a concert from outside the venue, either because they couldn't afford tickets or were unable to secure seats. However, this scene at G-Dragon's show sparked widespread backlash online, with many accusing the organiser of prioritising foreign buyers. Videos circulated showing fans booing the staff and chanting for the doors to be opened to let them in to enjoy the concert. Prior to showtime, it was reported that members of the BIGBANG star's team approached fans outside the venue, inviting them to leave warm messages for the idol. Many were seen in tears after expressing their emotions and disappointment at not being able to see him perform live on stage. The viral clips drew sympathy from other fans who had also been unable to secure tickets. GD's Übermench crew came outside of the stadium and asked to leave a message to GD. When it ended me and other Fams all started crying. We are all victims of EO's unfairness. #GDRAGONinKL #GDinKL — farah (@t_o_p_class) July 20, 2025 At the time of writing, Star Planet Malaysia has yet to publicly address the allegations made against them. It's unfortunate that many fans had such an experience, and we hope that the next time G-Dragon—or BIGBANG as a group—returns to Malaysia, it will be an even bigger and better occasion for everyone.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Kenny G serenades Malaysia with timeless sax appeal
KENNY G is something of an acquired taste. For some, he's a legend; for others, smooth jazz is a complete snoozefest. However, the Grammy-winning saxophonist pulled in a nearly full house for his recent 'Timeless Legacy' concert, which took place at Genting Highlands' Arena of Stars, and reminded everyone why his smooth sound has stuck around for decades. As a jazz fan, I've always known Kenny G lived in that strange in-between of pop-jazz and background music. It's not complex, so I can understand why people gravitate towards his sounds. It works. It's comforting. Call it 'safe sax'. The moment he stepped into the aisles playing 'Loving You,' spinning around mid-solo and waving at fans like a wind-blown Kenny G bobblehead, the crowd lit up. He hadn't even reached the stage yet when he held a single note for over a minute. That's child's play for the man who once famously held a note for 45 minutes straight! Showmanship aside, the crowd was already sold. The audience, mostly older fans, welcomed him like a long-lost friend. Many had grown up with his music playing in the background of their lives: at hotel lobbies, dinners and Sunday brunches. His music had a way of showing up whether you asked for it or not. Midway through, he paused to say, "Saya cinta Malaysia!" drawing loud cheers. "How's my accent?" he asked with a grin. Then, pointing at his band, he added, "I'm fluent in Malay, but I'll speak English for these guys." A cheeky moment, perfectly timed. Then the band took over and everything shifted. Percussionist Ron Powell stole the show when he turned the night into a party. His solo had the entire crowd clapping, cheering, and bobbing along. He brought rhythm, heart, and a whole lot of fun. Guitarist John Raymond kept the groove steady, locked in from the first chord. Drummer Daniel Bejarano added punch and fire without breaking the chill vibe. Bassist Vail Johnson had moments that bordered on rockstar and Robert Damper, Kenny's friend since high school, added rich, effortless layers on the piano. The setlist hit every expected note. 'Songbird', 'Forever in Love', a Chinese classics medley that included 'The Moon Represents My Heart' and 'The Moment', and others all drew big reactions. There was 'Desafinado', his homage to Stan Getz, which brought the audience to a jazz lounge. Ending with his cover of 'My Heart Will Go On', it was the perfect finish to the two-hour-long show. Critics may still argue whether what Kenny plays counts as "real" jazz. His influences, like Grover Washington Jr., faced similar pushback for straying too close to pop. But as Kenny floated above the chords with that signature silky tone, it was clear that he was just playing what felt good and easy. As the show, organised by Star Planet, wrapped, Kenny announced he'd be signing CDs and taking photos with fans, and judging by the eager queue forming near the exit, the love was mutual. People clutched their CDs like treasured possessions. When I entered the hall, I thought I only knew Kenny G by name as I couldn't recall the names of his songs, even though the melodies are familiar. Halfway through the show, I realised his music was already part of my memory. I'd heard it everywhere — from airport lounges to cafes; gently soundtracking the in-between spaces of my life. You don't seek Kenny G. He just shows up. The crowd left happy, and Kenny G proved once again that while trends may change, his notes and his charm still blow strong.
