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MBC speaks out on Korean Music Wave concert cancellation

SINGAPORE – Korean broadcaster MBC has spoken out on the cancellation of the Korean Music Wave concert that was meant to held in Singapore earlier this month.

Girls' Generation's TaeTiSeo would probably have made colourful emcees at the MBC Korean Music Wave in Singapore. Photo: SM Entertainment

Girls' Generation's TaeTiSeo would probably have made colourful emcees at the MBC Korean Music Wave in Singapore. Photo: SM Entertainment

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SINGAPORE – Korean broadcaster MBC has spoken out on the cancellation of the Korean Music Wave concert that was meant to held in Singapore earlier this month.

In a strongly-worded e-mail, MBC claimed that they have not been given an explanation for the cancellation of the concert.

“It is highly regrettable to have been informed that Fatfish Entertainment made a unilateral decision to cancel the show that we have all been devoting ourselves to,” said a spokesperson from MBC in a statement. “We would like to send sincere apologies to all the K-pop fans who were awaiting the show.”

“Until now, we don’t not understand (why) Fatfish Entertainment cancelled the show at the very last minute.”

According to MBC’s statement, Singapore-based concert organiser Fatfish Entertainment had asked MBC to bear the cost of the flights for the participating artistes, crew and production staff, despite having agreed previously to pay for the tickets.

Fatfish Entertainment could not be contacted for further comment at press time.

The concert – billed as the biggest K-pop concert – was cancelled just 10 days before the event was due to be held. The three-hour extravaganza, jointly organised by MBC and Fatfish Entertainment and presented by StarHub, was to have been held at the Gardens By The Bay, and feature acts including TaeTiSeo, SHINee, EXO, 2PM, 2AM, F.T. Island, B1A4, TeenTop, B.A.P, Kara, Sistar, Miss A, IU and 4Minute.

In a statement posted on the event’s Facebook page on Nov 6, Fatfish Entertainment said the concert was cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances, including contractual difficulties with our co-producer, MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation)”.

Here is MBC’s statement in full:

“On November 6, we were informed through www.musicwave.sg/kmv that Fatfish Entertainment Pte Ltd had cancelled ‘MBC KOREAN MUSIC WAVE IN SINGAPORE 2013’ that was scheduled to go on stage on Nov 16, 2013.

“It is highly regrettable to have been informed that Fatfish Entertainment has made a unilateral decision to cancel the show that we have all been devoting ourselves to. We would like to send sincere apologies to all the K-pop fans who were awaiting the show.

“Above all things, we hope that Fatfish Entertainment will take legal and appropriate measures at the earliest possible moment for the fans who are the biggest victims of the cancellation of the show.

“We, MBC, still have neither received an explanation with acceptable reasons, nor received any apology from Fatfish Entertainment regarding this sudden cancellation which was solely attributable to Fatfish Entertainment. We managed to maintain our patience so far, in terms of understanding the difficulties Fatfish Entertainment, the local promoter and the organiser, had to face, and in expecting that things would hopefully be solved in a desirable way.

“However, regarding the cancellation of the show, we would like to now inform the fans of the circumstances that led to the cancellation of the show in response to the misunderstandings and misled assumptions which we consider to be a serious impact to the reputation and good name of MBC and the involved artistes.

“MBC Korean Music Wave is a K-Pop performance which has been produced by MBC, one of the largest public broadcasting companies in Korea, in many countries around the world including Japan, the U.S., Australia, and other countries in Europe and Southeast Asia. After the initial request made by Fatfish Entertainment to organise the show, we have been planning for a best possible show that showcases MBC’s production capabilities and passionate performance from the K-Pop artistes.

“After the official request from Fatfish Entertainment was sent to MBC last April, the contract was closed last July, after several negotiations. Then, as preparations on production of the show began, MBC and Fatfish had countless discussions and adjustments over the last few months, and reached an agreement on all the hospitality and production concerns during the meeting, in Singapore and Malaysia on Oct 29 to 31, 2013. In order to prevent future misunderstandings regarding the final agreement, and to clarify the accountability and obligation of both parties, Fatfish and MBC’s discussion at that time was recorded under the consent of both parties.

“Notwithstanding the terms of this agreement, Fatfish Entertainment sent MBC an unreasonable request on Nov 1, which is right after MBC came back to Korea after having final agreement in Singapore. The request simply demanded MBC to bear the flight costs of the participating artistes, their crew, and all production staffs which were to be paid by the local organiser according to the contract. Fatfish Entertainment’s explanation for this request was that it had already made excessive expenses for the production and hospitality, and that it could not further burden themselves with the flight costs. Fatfish Entertainment added that they were unwilling to continue the show unless MBC accepted this request. As a response, we urged Fatfish Entertainment to quickly issue the flight tickets since it was the responsibility of Fatfish from the first place according to the contract, and the date of the show was approaching. Nevertheless, Fatfish Entertainment, on Nov 6, made an official announcement of cancellation of the show in the official website, on its own terms.

“This certainly is a very surprising and disappointing incident for MBC and the involved artistes who have been putting a great deal of efforts at the point of preparing to produce the best show.

“The production and hospitality matters that Fatfish Entertainment was arguing about have already been decided and were being carried out according to the agreed plan which was discussed in every detail. To the extent that the quality of the show would not be severely compromised, MBC even made a lot of concessions taking consideration of the financial difficulty faced by the local organiser.

“Even with those concessions, we have been planning for a lot of special performances including the performance of TTS with the local cover dance team, and other collaborative performances and surprise events for the fans, trying our best to provide unforgettable memories, as a sign of gratitude for the fans who are constantly supporting K-Pop.

“Until now, we do not understand Fatfish Entertainment in cancelling the show at the very last minute. This is to clarify that responsibility regarding all the problems and ramifications that derive from the breach of the contract will all be on Fatfish Entertainment.

“Moreover, if it were found to be true that Fatfish Entertainment distributed any distorted facts as a means to shift the responsibility of the cancellation on MBC, then we will strictly put the liability on Fatfish Entertainment, on the basis of currently secured details and information.

“Regarding this aspect, we would also like to ask for appropriate measures to be taken by Fatfish Entertainment that would not further aggravate the situation.

“While mutual trust is very important especially in a show business, it is highly regrettable and disappointing that this kind of situation happened in Singapore where it is widely known for its high level of credibility.

“Not as a mere business but as a duty, the whole production plan and other progresses should have been made with strong commitment to produce a show in consideration that it would serve as an effective means of communication among the fans and the artistes. While it is hardly possible to create a successful show unless there is respect and consideration towards fans and the artistes, none of them happened to be present in the whole process of how Fatfish Entertainment organised the show.

“MBC and the artiste are in great shock at the moment, considering the disappointment that those fans, who have been awaiting the show more than anyone else, have felt.

“It is regrettable that this plan of visiting Singaporean fans has been miscarried. We are also greatly concerned whether this might affect the good name of other K-Pop concerts in the future as well.

“We, MBC staff and the artistes, are deeply sorry for all the K-pop lovers in Singapore and would like to seek your understanding.

“We hope we can visit Singapore next time with a much greater show.”

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