G-Dragon’s highly anticipated world tour kickoff in Korea was met with unexpected challenges, as the concert was delayed by a total of 73 minutes due to severe weather conditions, including snow, rain, and strong wind gusts. According to his agency Galaxy Corporation, the decision to delay the show was made for audience safety, and G-Dragon had been present at the venue since 2 PM, monitoring the weather and conducting rehearsals.
The agency offered multiple apologies, both during the concert and via an official statement, thanking fans for waiting in the cold and emphasizing that some planned stage effects were canceled to avoid potential hazards.
Despite these explanations, reactions varied widely both in Korea and abroad.
Korean Reactions: “It was chaos. Where was the communication?”
Many Korean commenters were sympathetic to the weather-related delay, but some expressed frustration about lack of timely updates and poor on-site management.
Top Korean Comments (Source : Nate)
“Delays due to weather happen, sure. But they initially said 30 minutes — it ended up being 73. There should’ve been continuous announcements. It was freezing, and people were just left standing around.” (👍 158, 👎 43)
“Those who didn’t go, stop judging. GD was there all day doing sound checks. If they hadn’t delayed and someone got hurt, you’d be blaming them for that too.” (👍 116, 👎 17)
“People keep blaming GD, but he was on-site since morning. It wasn’t his fault. Warnings were sent, and announcements were made on the screen.” (👍 57, 👎 12)
“They didn’t cancel because they’d have to refund tickets. So they just kept everyone standing there. No real plan.” (👍 42, 👎 46)
“The fans rushing to defend him are the problem. Still, everyone ended up enjoying the show.” (👍 29, 👎 16)
“GD stayed warm while fans froze. That’s not right.” (👍 7, 👎 15)
Global Reactions: “Delays happen. It was handled professionally.”
International fans were more understanding overall, citing similar experiences at other concerts and praising the artist for prioritizing safety.
Top Global Reactions (Source : Reddit)
“Delays are normal. I waited 90 mins for Beyoncé at an indoor venue. GD and his team were there all day, and the weather was insane. They apologized repeatedly — it was out of their control.”
“They gave out hot packs, canceled effects for safety, and still gave a great show. No complaints from me.”
“Dreamcatcher once had a similar delay in Montreal. These things happen, and fans understand.”
“In the U.S., nobody expects concerts to start on time anyway.”
“That said, some people criticized him for lip-syncing and poor live vocals. Not everyone was happy.”
“He should be apologizing to Kendrick Lamar 😭”
Analysis: Safety, Expectations, and Performance Standards
The contrasting reactions highlight a cultural difference in how concert delays and artist responsibility are perceived.
In Korea, fans expected timely communication and real-time updates. The long outdoor wait in freezing weather, combined with inconsistent announcements, created frustration. Some defended GD’s presence and diligence, while others felt the event lacked proper contingency planning.
Global fans, by contrast, were more forgiving of the delay itself, especially in light of severe weather. The tone was more relaxed, with many sharing similar past experiences. However, criticism did emerge regarding GD’s vocal performance, showing that while the delay was excused, expectations for live quality remain high.
This incident underscores how international K-pop events must balance global fan tolerance with Korean audiences’ demand for precision and care, especially when safety and trust are on the line.