Lee Mujin's Performance Halted Amid Staff Controversy at Cheonan Event
Singer Lee Mujin (이무진) faced an unexpected interruption during a rehearsal for the '2025 Cheonan K-Culture Expo' when a staff member issued abrupt instructions mixed with informal language. This incident has sparked discussions about potential abuse of power by the event organizers. Despite an official apology from the organizers, the controversy continues, prompting Lee Mujin's agency, Big Planet Made Entertainment (빅플래닛메이드엔터), to announce a strong response.
On June 5, the agency released a statement expressing regret over the inappropriate behavior and disrespectful remarks directed at Lee Mujin during the rehearsal. They emphasized the seriousness of the situation and indicated plans to take firm action against the event organizers and the production team to protect their artist.
The incident occurred during the rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the '2025 Cheonan K-Culture Expo.' While Lee Mujin was checking the sound and singing a few notes, a staff member abruptly interrupted, saying, "Alright, we’re stopping. What are you doing right now? I’ll give you time to adjust the sound during the performance later. The next team is waiting, so we’ll end here." This led to Lee Mujin leaving the stage in apparent confusion, while the audience reacted with boos directed at the organizers.
As footage of the incident circulated online, fans began to question whether the organizers had acted inappropriately. The staff's use of a somewhat commanding tone and informal language drew criticism, with many labeling the behavior as rude.
In response to the backlash, the organizers issued an apology, acknowledging that a communication issue among staff led to the unfortunate incident during the rehearsal. They expressed sincere apologies to the audience and fans, stating that the involved staff member had apologized to the artist and relevant parties. They also promised to implement strict warnings and training for the event management team to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Despite the apology, criticism persisted, leading Lee Mujin's agency to reaffirm their commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for their artist. They stated, "We will take all necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again and will strive to ensure that our artist can perform in a safe and respectful environment."
Following the agency's statement, the organizers issued a second apology, confirming that they had given a strong warning and conducted training for the event management team. They also announced that the staff member involved had been removed from their role in event operations. They concluded by sincerely apologizing to Lee Mujin, his fans, and all attendees at the event.
