Asia News: Philippines Aims At Scalpers; Korean Trade Groups Side With Ador; Diljit Dosanjh Hints India Boycott

PHILIPPINES

Bill Aims At Scalpers

A Philippine senator, Mark Villar, recently filed a bill aimed at punishing scalpers who resell event tickets at excessive prices. Violations of the proposed law could incur fines of up to 500,000 pesos ($8,500) and a harsh prison sentence.

Villar said after the filing, “We made this bill to stop or suppress the worsening incidents of scalping, which take advantage of concertgoers or avid fans. The practice of reselling concert and event tickets at an inflated price by scalpers is no longer reasonable. Every fan and every Filipino deserves to enjoy concerts without being extorted by scammers,” according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The bill will prohibit the “offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, dealing in, disposing of, or otherwise acquiring admission tickets for entertainment events without written permission from the authorized event producers, organizers, and distributors, obtaining and reselling tickets by more than 10% higher than face value price of the ticket.”

The minimum 10% markup may be reviewed and updated by implementing agencies, however. Large scale ticket scalping activities will also be penalized.

As a requirement, event ticketing, event production, and event service companies will need to publish and post reminders regarding scalping on their premises and websites. They will also have to “adopt and implement internal policy guidelines and mechanisms to prevent scalping … by employees, contractors, and agents,” according to Villar.

In addition, a complaint will not need to be filed before charges can be brought against a suspected scalper. Villar added, “The Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation may also serve as complainants.”

KOREA

Trade Groups Side With Ador

After K-pop girl group NewJeans held a press conference to announce they were leaving their agency Ador, the move was condemned by the Korea Entertainment Producers Association and the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA), which have sided with Ador in the dispute. Both groups urged NewJeans to return to the agency.

According to news website LatestLY, KMCA said that NewJeans must “fulfill their duties as outlined in their contract,” which the group was breaking by leaving Ador. The group should “consult their agency with the goal of resolving matters through dialogue. Should the two parties fail to reach an agreement, the members must humbly wait on a judiciary decision.”

If NewJeans does not do so, “their actions could leave a negative impression on other artists and groups in the [K-pop] community.”

It is believed that NewJeans’ actions are in response to their former boss at Ador, Min Hee-jin, leaving the agency after being accused by Ador’s parent company of “poaching” artists from other agencies. The KMCA says it will ban companies or individuals who engage in poaching from KMCA-managed charts.

Overseas K-pop Awards Shows Upset Fans

An increasing number of year-end K-pop awards shows are moving overseas, a trend that has drawn the ire of Korean K-pop fans who are forced to spend lots of money in order to attend the events, which have been held in Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and, most recently, the U.S.

“It ultimately comes down to money,” one awards ceremony organizer told the Korea Times. “Securing investment for hosting an event overseas can yield sums that are incomparable to what can be achieved domestically.”

The investments in question would cover venue rental, artist fees, stage production and broadcasting rights. When more outside investors become interested, the organizer’s own costs are reduced greatly.

And because of the high demand for K-pop overseas, tickets for these awards shows are usually in very high demand, so larger venues can be used, thus guaranteeing larger revenues. In Korea, however, ticket prices are capped, thus limiting revenues.

Another reason for the move is that Korea still lacks facilities large enough to satisfy domestic demand for such shows. One insider told Korea Times, “We understand the importance of hosting award shows in South Korea, and we actively consider it every year. But the logistical hurdles make it an uphill battle.”

MALAYSIA

Concerts Vs. Hockey At National Stadium

The Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) has expressed concern regarding plans to hold 26 concerts at the Bukit Jalil National Hockey Stadium next year, since it may disrupt preparations for the national hockey team, according to news site The Sun.

The president of the MHC believes that the concerts will interrupt the training schedule for the team as set by the team’s coach, and asked the Malaysian Stadium Corporation to rethink its priorities.

During a press conference, the MHC president said that if the number 26 is true, “it means the stadium would be closed for half the year. The hockey field is a key facility for the national team. We’ve yet to receive official confirmation about the 26 concerts.”

The news of the 26 concerts likely reached the MHC through an announcement by the Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. The ministry is making a big effort to attract more large-scale international concerts to Malaysia, and the hockey stadium is one of the few venues where big concerts would be viable.

INDIA

Punjabi Singer Bemoans Lack Of Infrastructure

The popular Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh has said he is thinking of foregoing any future concert tours in India until the situation surrounding live music productions is improved. Currently in the midst of a sold-out tour of India, Diljit made the statement from the stage during a concert in Chandigarh on Dec. 14.

According to the Economic Times, Diljit complained about India’s lack of proper facilities. “I want to address the authorities,” he said. “India lacks adequate infrastructure for live performances. This sector generates significant revenue and provides livelihoods for many. Please pay attention to this area.”

He went on to say that he endeavors to create a concert environment that is advantageous to all audience members regardless of where they are sitting, an effort that he obviously finds frustrating. “Until the infrastructure improves, I won’t perform here. Rather than causing trouble for artists, work on fixing these issues.”

Diljit’s tour has received criticism for the number of tickets that are resold at very high prices, a practice that for some reason has been blamed on the artist himself. During his onstage rant he denied having any control over the secondary ticket market and expressed disappointment that he has been targeted in such a way.

Nevertheless, the tour has been a massive success, and Diljit has emerged as one of the most popular performers in India at the moment, so his statements are bound to have an effect on the music industry.