The annual year-end music festival, ‘2023 SBS Gayo Daejeon,’ was meant to be a joyous celebration of the year’s music scene. However, the event, boasting a star-studded lineup of 25 artists including TVXQ, SHINee, Stray Kids, and Aespa, ultimately became marred by a series of controversies and concerns around safety and production quality.
The red carpet itself saw a worrying incident when a man attempted to approach Aespa at the photo wall, raising questions about crowd control and artist safety. Later, during NCT’s performance, Ten unexpectedly fell a lift hidden onstage, fortunately escaping injury but further fueling anxieties about stage safety. Fans were quick to point out the similarities to Red Velvet Wendy’s 2019 fall at the same venue, which left her with serious injuries.
The technical aspects of the show also faced criticism. Audio and subtitle errors occurred throughout the broadcast, and Stray Kids’ performance was briefly interrupted by NewJeans’ music. Inconsistent camera work on several stages further detracted from the viewing experience.
These issues overshadowed the event’s intended celebratory mood, leaving many viewers and fans disappointed. While SBS responded to the counterfeit ticket controversy by initiating a police investigation, the repeated safety concerns and technical shortcomings cast a shadow over the entire production.
Despite boasting a highly anticipated lineup, ‘2023 SBS Gayo Daejeon’ ultimately fell short of expectations, becoming a cautionary tale for future events on ensuring both artist and audience safety, as well as maintaining a high standard of technical execution.
