US pop star Ariana Grande denies 'unprofessional' Seoul concert accusation

/ Korea Times file

By Park Si-soo

Universal Music, the label representing scandal-ridden American pop star Ariana Grande, reacted to brewing criticism over her alleged unprofessional attitude and disregard for the fans at her Seoul concert last Tuesday.

In a statement on Friday, the company denied allegations that the singer’s unnoticed late arrival to Seoul and to the concert venue, and her consequent skipping of rehearsal, reflected that she disregarded her Korean fans and hosted the sold-out concert without a sincere commitment.

The label claimed “everything she did during the Seoul concert was the same as she had done at other concerts.”

The following is an excerpt of the Q&A format statement released by Universal Music.

Q. Did she host a poorly prepared, unprofessional concert? Did she disregard her Korean fans?

A. The Seoul concert was part of her World Tour. The stage design, setting and performance format were exactly the same compared with those of her previous concerts. She was supposed to sing “Dangerous Woman” as an encore as she has done in previous concerts. Ending the concert without a moment of farewell was also the same. The Korean fans might be unfamiliar with this. But this is her way. Everything was done the same way she has done it before, nothing different. To sum up, she did not disregard her Korean fans.

Q. The Seoul concert lasted 1.5 hours, while her concert in Japan reportedly lasted three hours.

A. That’s wrong. Her concert in Japan lasted 1.5 hours. One difference she made during her third concert in Japan was she sang one extra song “The Way.”

Q. Her singing in Seoul was allegedly poor.

A. No way. She sang with much heart and enthusiasm at her Seoul concert. Rather her non-Korean fans complained that she “cared too much” about the Seoul concert. You will be able to find written complaints left on her Instagram about that.