The upcoming BLACKPINK concert in Hanoi, part of their Born Pink world tour, has been caught in controversies. Vietnamese authorities are investigating the promoter’s website over a disputed South China Sea map. At the same time, YG Entertainment, the South Korean agency that manages BLACKPINK, has denied the authenticity of a leaked set list for the concert.
#BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] IN HANOI POSTER#블랙핑크 #BORNPINK #BLACKPINK_WORLDTOUR #BLACKPINK_BORNPINK #HANOI #POSTER #YG pic.twitter.com/LJ0SVWBF0z
— BLACKPINKOFFICIAL (@BLACKPINK) June 26, 2023
The Vietnamese culture ministry has ordered an inspection of the concert promoter’s website after fans noticed it featured a map of the South China Sea with disputed boundaries. This controversy follows Hanoi’s recent decision to ban Hollywood’s Barbie film over a scene allegedly featuring the “nine-dash line” used in Chinese maps to illustrate Beijing’s claims over some areas of the South China Sea, including swathes of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf.
Although BLACKPINK’s agency hasn’t commented on the issue, the organizer has apologized for publishing the controversial map. According to Vietnam National Television VTV and the VnExpress news website, Brian Chow, chief executive of iMe Entertainment, promised the company would remove the map. The organizer’s website is no longer accessible, but a cached version showed a faint line encompassing the South China Sea. Vietnam and China have always had overlapping territorial claims to a potentially energy-rich stretch of the waterway. Hanoi has repeatedly accused Chinese vessels of violating Vietnamese sovereignty.
This incident has sparked outrage among Vietnamese fans. Some are even thinking about boycotting the concert. A fan named Tu Anh Xinh wrote on Facebook, “Bought two tickets for me and my date. Then I saw the cow-tongue and quit. I am a patriot.” (“Cow-tongue” is a Vietnamese phrase used to describe the U-shaped line.”)
In a separate issue, YG Entertainment has refuted claims about a leaked setlist for the concert. The alleged setlist, which featured only 14 tracks, had been circulating online and received criticism from netizens due to the high ticket prices.
The setlist for blackpink’s concert in vietnam has 13 songs and the tickets are crazy expensive…good luck selling out lmao
— Kc (@soshistarr) July 4, 2023
A representative from YG Entertainment stated, “The set list of BLACKPINK’s Vietnamese concert circulating online is not true. We will proceed as usual with the normal tour procedures.”
The alleged set list had caused disappointment among fans who were expecting a more extensive lineup of songs from the world-renowned K-pop group. The ticket prices, which ballooned to almost 540,000 won (414 USD), added to fans’ discontent. But YG Entertainment’s words put to rest any concerns over the setlist.
[TRANS] YG Entertainment releases a statement regarding #BLACKPINK concert in Vietnam with allegedly concert setlist that pinks would be performing 14 songs
“The setlist for @BLACKPINK concert in Vietnam that is being circulated online is NOT TRUE. The concert will proceed in… pic.twitter.com/npjzFweOoh
— BLACKPINK BLINK UNION 💕 (@BBU_BLACKPINK) July 5, 2023
BLACKPINK is a cornerstone of South Korea’s multi-billion dollar K-pop industry. The world-famous girl group is due to perform in Vietnam for the first time on July 29 and 30, having been granted a license that requested the organizer to comply with the government’s regulations on all performing activities.
Despite the issues, the excitement for BLACKPINK’s debut performance in Vietnam remains high. The group’s dynamic performances and immense popularity are expected to draw a big crowd. Fans are excited for the Hanoi stop of the Born Pink world tour. They hope all the issues will be resolved soon so the event will proceed as planned.
Featured Image: BLACKPINK poses for a photo with the crowd at the Sydney, Australia stop of the BORN PINK tour. Source: Twitter/BLACKPINK’s official Twitter account