Whelp, that happened. It looks like Ye’s plans to headline a major concert in South Korea later this month have been abruptly scrapped.
Let’s be real, are you surprised? It was only a matter of time before Ye’s perceived touring sanctuary in greater Asia would come to a screeching halt. News travels fast, and it seems like the powers that be got the memo over the Pacific.
Get this: Coupang, the nation’s leading e-commerce giant, has canceled the event originally scheduled for May 31 in Incheon, citing “recent controversies involving the artist.”
Interestingly, Coupang and ticketing partner Interpark did not provide specific details behind the cancellation. Still, the decision follows the release of Ye’s latest track, “Heil Hitler”—a song that has sparked global outrage for its disturbing praise of the Nazi dictator responsible for the Holocaust.
As you may expect, the companies announced in a statement that “all purchased tickets will be fully refunded.” Coupang, which was hosting the concert through its Coupang Play streaming service, also confirmed that it removed all Ye’s Yeezy brand merchandise from its platforms as of Monday.
Ye has faced significant backlash in recent years, with Adidas severing ties with him in late 2022 after a string of antisemitic outbursts and much, much more. Adidas wasn’t bluffing and the legacy shoe brand sold off the remaining inventory of Yeezy sneakers earlier this year, officially ending what was once one of the most lucrative partnerships in fashion history.
What’s next? With the show in Incheon canceled, Ye’s return to South Korea seems to be a big question mark. Here’s what we know: With mounting controversies continuing to shadow his every move, international promoters and partners appear to be thinking twice about moving forward.
Such an avoidable fall from grace.