Asia News: Jacky Cheung Shows Boost China Market; Credit Card Rush For Taylor Tix; K-pop Fans Protest Japan Festival Site

CHINA

Jacky Cheung Shows Boost Local Market

Sands China’s June share of Macau’s premium mass market increased by 14% over May thanks mainly to 12 Jacky Cheung concerts at the Cotai Arena that began June 9, Inside Asian Gaming reports. The analysis was made by Citigroup Investment Research, which said “the number of premium mass players and the size of their average bets” at the Sands’ Venetian Macao casino were much higher than in May.

Another “impetus” for this surge may have been the four-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday in Macau, which also increased action at two other China Sands’ properties there: The Apex room at Plaza and the Apex room at the Londoner.

As a result, Sands China “outperformed the market in June,” according to Citigroup. JP Morgan had already commented that concerts held at “some Macau integrated resorts” have played a significant role in the city’s post-pandemic recovery, especially with regard to the gaming sector.

SINGAPORE

National Stadium A Top Destination

After Taylor Swift added three more shows at Singapore’s National Stadium next March, bringing her total number of concerts at the venue to six, it became clear to local media that the country has become the concert capital of Southeast Asia with Coldplay also doing six nights at the 50,000-capacity venue in January.

With Singapore as Swift’s sole Southeast Asian destination for her massive “Eras Tour,” The Independent Singapore asks how such a small country could “command such top caliber acts.” For decades, the government has “pursue[d] collaboration with musical acts as well as concert organizers,” and according to a professor quoted in the article,

Singapore has touted itself as a prime tourist destination for years and is now spotlighting its ability to attract big-name acts.

The idea is to expand Singapore’s global reputation beyond that of a “leading business destination” and convention and exhibition center by emphasizing the city’s stable political climate, high-level security and safety and advanced tourism know-how. Another expert told the Straits Times that Singapore will need to invest more to maintain this momentum.

Credit Card Rush For Presale

The demand for Taylor Swift tickets in Singapore and surrounding territories has sparked a rush for United Overseas Bank credit card applications since cardmembers can gain access to the exclusive artist presale.

Many people who hope to buy tickets during the presale may not have time to apply for cards or may not qualify for one. Consequently, some are going on Twitter and posting “dating profiles,” according to AsiaOne.com, to snag partners also planning to go to the concerts and who already have UOB cards.

In addition, a group of Singaporean students too young to apply for credit cards has lobbied the minister of education to declare a school holiday for the dates when Swift is performing. The minister, Chan Chun Sing, responded to the entreaty via Instagram and wrote, “I hear you. I feel you.”

However, Chan also felt for fans of other superstars who might be offended if Swift earned a school holiday and they didn’t. Referring to the Beyoncé brouhaha in Sweden, he also voiced concern “that this may further fuel inflation.”

JAPAN

Korean Fans Protest Festival Site

Korean K-pop fans have started to petition a local broadcaster to prevent the annual KBS Song Festival from taking place in Japan on Dec. 9. Local news reported that this year’s festival would be held at the Saitama Super Arena located in a suburb north of Tokyo and KBS, one of South Korea’s two public broadcasters, was in the process of recruiting artists.

As of June 22, more than 2,000 people have left or approved messages on KBS’s “viewer petition board” demanding that the festival be held in Korea.

A KBS representative told reporters that the Japanese site is being considered for the popular event but added that “nothing has been confirmed yet.”

Japan is the largest market for K-pop outside of South Korea, and many production companies regularly stage showcases for their artists at Japanese large venues.