Controversy Over KBS Gayo Daechukje Held in Japan: "Is This a Public Broadcaster?"

1,200 People Agree to Petition Opposing Japan Hosting
KBS "Japan Hosting Considered but Not Confirmed"

As news spread that this year's KBS Song Festival would be held in Japan, controversy arose among viewers, and KBS stated on the 19th that "nothing has been confirmed yet."

2022 Gayo Daechukje Poster
[Photo by KBS Website]

According to industry sources on the 19th, the '2023 KBS Song Festival' is scheduled to take place on December 9th at Belluna Dome (Seibu Dome) in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

The KBS Song Festival is a music program where K-POP stars who have shone throughout the year gather in one place.

Until now, it has been held at the Yeouido KBS Hall, and last year it was held at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul.

However, this year, as news spread that the Song Festival would be held in Japan, some viewers, including domestic K-POP fans, expressed doubts, saying, "Why is a K-POP event being held in Japan?"

In particular, since KBS is well known as a public broadcaster, opinions such as "It is hard to understand why a year-end music stage of a public broadcaster funded by license fees is being held overseas" have emerged.

On the same day, a petition opposing the holding of the Song Festival in Japan was posted on the KBS website.

Petition Against Hosting the K-Pop Festival in Japan
[Photo by KBS Website]

The petition, which stated, "Isn't KBS a public broadcaster?" and "I don't understand what they were thinking to hold the year-end stage in Japan," received over 1,200 signatures in about four hours.

In response, a KBS official said, "It is true that holding the Song Festival in Japan was considered, but nothing has been finalized yet."

Meanwhile, in the past, K-POP award ceremonies such as the 'MAMA AWARDS' and 'Asia Artist Awards' have been held overseas, which has continuously caused dissatisfaction among domestic K-POP fans.

In the past, the 'MAMA AWARDS' organizers explained the reason for holding the domestic award ceremony overseas by saying, "We aim to be an Asian awards ceremony," and "It is held with a vision to elevate national prestige, not just a simple music show."

Some have analyzed that since ticket prices sold overseas are much higher than those in Korea, it is more profitable to hold the event abroad considering the revenue.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.