The Hanteo Music Awards, a prestigious event celebrating the brightest stars of K-pop based on Hanteo Chart data and global votes, unfortunately became synonymous with chaos and controversy.
Held over two days at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, the event aimed to showcase a year of achievements in the music industry. However, it turned into a trial marked by chaos and a series of incidents that left many questioning the organizers' preparedness.
애들이 너무 걱정보여 ... 조심하세요 pic.twitter.com/JnLfr9daLi
— 어쩌라고? (@dowajuseyo0801) February 18, 2024
What was meant to be a joyful festival bringing together artists and fans from around the world descended into a spectacle of disorder. The standing sections of the audience were in turmoil, and reports even surfaced about a shocking "feces incident" earning the ceremony the nickname of "nightmare awards."
Despite featuring popular K-pop artists such as NCT, ZEROBASEONE, aespa, and ATEEZ, the event management failed to anticipate the crowd movements, leading to hazardous conditions that even shocked the idols themselves.
The situation became so disastrous that the artists themselves had to plead with the audience for more security, urging them to "step back because it's dangerous," to "follow the instructions of security personnel," and to "watch the show safely."Humble & kindness pic.twitter.com/O0cfozfQBG
— 어쩌라고? (@dowajuseyo0801) February 18, 2024
The so-called "feces incident" has been the subject of much speculation. Some suggest that it was caused by the crowd pressure preventing people from reaching the toilets in time.
"Someone defecated in the standing area near the idols' zone... They said a security guard came to check and confirmed it was feces (poop)."
The most significant issue at the Hanteo Music Awards was the lack of crowd control and preparedness. Even basic security measures, such as separating the standing areas, could have prevented the chaos. The shortage of staff to manage crowd movements and mediate among fans was also critical.
From chaotic standing sections to physical altercations, these avoidable incidents are a clear testament to the organizers' lack of preparation. The tarnished reputation of the Hanteo Music Awards serves as a bitter ending to what should have been a highlight for the music industry.
