2024 Weverse Con Festival faces backlash over poor organisation and safety concerns

The trouble began with excessively long lines that left many attendees in a state of frustration.

The highly anticipated 2024 Weverse Con Festival kicked off on June 15, 2024, with major sponsorship from Aliexpress. Despite the extensive advertising and high expectations, the event's organisation fell disastrously short, causing frustration and chaos among attendees.

Many fans took to social media to share their disappointing experiences. The trouble began with excessively long lines that left many attendees in a state of frustration. Reports from those on-site indicated that the concert was scheduled to start at 11 am, but a significant portion of the audience was still stuck outside, unable to enter the arena. Panic ensued, especially among those at the back of the line, who resorted to cutting the queue and rushing towards the entrance. This sudden surge led to a complete breakdown of the line system as more people followed suit, creating a mob-like situation at the entrance.

실시간 위버스콘 줄 무시하고 입장하려고 다 뛰는중 pic.twitter.com/qn9tiMQdwp

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— 435 (@syu46271) June 15, 2024

As the situation escalated, barricades meant to control the crowd began to fall over. Audience members were forced to hold them down themselves in a desperate attempt to maintain order. The chaos prompted the dispatch of police and fire department personnel to manage the situation and attend to the injuries sustained by several attendees.

Netizens quickly turned their criticism towards HYBE, the organisers of the event. Screenshots of online comments revealed widespread shock and dismay at the poor handling of the festival. Criticisms ranged from accusations of negligence to calls for boycotts. One comment read, “They’re basically not doing their jobs. Where did their brains for work go? Are they really going to do things this carelessly? How pathetic.” Another highlighted the frustration of those who paid ₩170,000 KRW (about $123 USD) but were unable to enter the venue on time, suggesting that people should boycott future events organised by HYBE.

Other comments expressed disbelief at the number of tickets sold versus the actual capacity to accommodate attendees, questioning how so many people could still be outside when the concert had already started. The overall sentiment was clear: fans felt cheated and let down by an organisation that had promised a seamless and enjoyable experience but delivered chaos and disappointment instead.

The poor organisation and ensuing chaos at the Weverse Con Festival have left a significant mark on HYBE's reputation. Fans who paid substantial amounts to see their favourite artists perform were met with disarray and poor crowd management.