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The Korean government has slapped a tighter rating on the Lady Gaga concert here than in other countries, barring those under 18 for what it sees are indecent elements in the multiple Grammy winning American singer’s show.
Hyundai Card, sponsor of the concert as part of its Super Series, told The Korea Times Friday that only 280 fans will be affected by the age restriction out of about 45,000 ticket holders and invited clients.
However, the number may be far bigger than Hyundai’s estimate because the singer commands a great following among young people and minors often use their parents’ credit cards for online purchases.
Hyundai officials said they will check people’s identification card at the entrance of the Jamsil Olympic Stadium to prevent young audience members from entering the venue.
“We notified Lady Gaga of the age restriction through an intermediary but neither she nor her staff has provided any response,” a Hyundai Card official said over the phone.
Earlier this week, the Korea Communications Standards Commission informed Hyundai Card that it put the age rating on the concert due to its “provocative” features.
Originally, the concert, which will be held on April 27 as part of the 25-year-old pop star’s world tour, was given the rating 12 and over, the same as in other countries.
Embarrassed by the decision, Hyundai Card is now taking steps for ticket refunds.
“It’s a shame that the concert has been given the rating. There is no specific age regulation for her concerts in other Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore,” the official said. “We started to inform our customers of the new rating so that they can receive refunds on their tickets.”
It has been seven years since a concert by a foreign musician was given a “harmful to youth” rating since Marilyn Manson came in 2005, well known for his controversial stage persona.
But Hyundai downplayed the impact of the refunds saying only 280 tickets were officially sold to under-18s.
But he admitted that the total number of tickets subject to refunds could be much more than estimated. Ticket prices range from 55,000 to 125,000 won.
Hyundai Card, the nation’s fourth largest credit card firm by market share, has held various cultural events as part of its marketing strategy under the name of Super Series. It has invited pop legends such as R&B singer Usher and pop diva Beyonce since 2007
Market insiders say it is not profitable to stage concerts by such famous pop stars but it has helped enhance the brand image of the card firm and also increase the number of new credit card holders as people can receive a 20 percent discount when buying tickets with one of its cards.
But inviting Lady Gaga here may be a risky choice, given her public images.
She has been referred to as the "Queen of Pop" but her music, fashion sense and persona have received mixed responses.
“Basically, we try to invite musicians who can wow audiences and she is one of the few artists that meets our standard,” the official said.
When it comes to her shows, her fans describe them as “highly entertaining and innovative," but her bizarre performances, which are often associated with sex and violence, also shock a lot of people.
She often wears "blood” soaked costumes as well as very explicit ones and this has triggered protests from family groups and other conservative groups.
Some Christian groups here have also opposed the concert.
“She has drawn people’s attention by her bizarre performances,” the Korea Association of Church Communication said in a statement. “She wore clothes soaked with blood in her concert, showed very sexually suggestive performances and encouraged people to engage in homosexuality.”
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