Illness forces McCartney to can Korea concert

Fans take photos in front of a promotional truck bearing an image of Paul McCartney at Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, Tuesday. The singer’s spokesman said Wednesday that his upcoming Seoul concert has also been affected by an illness that caused him to cancel the Japan tour. / AP-Yonhap

By Do Je-hae

Paul McCartney is canceling his first-ever Korea concert because of illness, his organizers said Wednesday.

The 71-year-old singer was scheduled to give a solo performance on May 28 at Jamsil Sports Complex Main Stadium as part of the Hyundai Card Super Concert series.

The former Beatle contracted a virus last week and canceled a string of concerts, including the one in Japan’s Nippon Budokan hall, where the Beatles performed during their first Japanese tour in 1966. “Acting on the advice from his doctors, McCartney has canceled his plans in Seoul to facilitate a complete rest,” read a Hyundai Card statement.

“Paul is still not feeling better and this cancellation is unavoidable. All possibilities to reschedule this show are being explored,” a spokesman for the singer said.

In a message delivered through the company, McCartney said he was disappointed and sorry for letting his Korean fans down.

“I was really looking forward to visiting and playing in South Korea for the first time and I’m sorry to be letting fans down,” he said. “I’m very disappointed by this and hope to be able to visit soon.”

Organizers have started to make refunds for those who have already paid for the concert tickets. Notices on major ticketing sites will alert concertgoers of the cancellation of McCartney’s Seoul event.

The Hyundai Card Super Concert series has brought some of the most renowned soloists and orchestras to Seoul, including the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman and the Chicago Symphony. McCartney was one of the first pop icons to be a part of the series.