What was meant to be a dazzling start to SEVENTEEN’s world tour quickly turned into a nightmare for fans in Incheon. On September 13, during Day 1 of the group’s two-day concert series at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium, a technical malfunction with stage pyrotechnics led to fireworks shooting directly into the audience instead of the sky.
The highly anticipated show drew over 29,000 fans, but the excitement gave way to panic when several fireworks misfired during the performance of “Eyes On You.” Instead of creating a spectacular finale, the explosives rained down dangerously close to the crowd, injuring multiple attendees.
Korean media outlets reported that at least two fans were hurt. Videos from the incident quickly surfaced online, showing red pyrotechnics veering off course and hitting the audience area. Many netizens expressed shock and anger, demanding stricter safety protocols at concerts.
One fan at the scene described the horror: “We love a good fireworks show, but they were shot so that they landed right in front of the audience. If anyone was hit by it, they could’ve been burned or blinded. Everyone in our area was so shocked.” Another fan, who sustained injuries, shared, “I was seated in the N5 area on the second floor, and I was hit by the fireworks during ‘Eyes On You.’ Everyone be careful.”
In response, Pledis Entertainment, SEVENTEEN’s management, issued an official statement on the fan platform Weverse the following morning. The agency admitted that “some of the special effects fireworks used in the final section of the performance fell unexpectedly towards the audience area,” citing defective products despite prior safety checks. Pledis confirmed that two injured fans received on-site medical treatment and returned home, adding that the company would cover all follow-up medical expenses.
This is not the first safety scare linked to SEVENTEEN concerts. In October 2024, a fire broke out at their show in Goyang, delaying the performance by 20 minutes for smoke evacuation. Fortunately, no fans were injured that time, and the members even lightened the mood by joking, “SEVENTEEN and CARATs are so hot, no wonder we had fire in here.”
While SEVENTEEN’s world tour remains one of the most anticipated K-pop events of the year, the Incheon accident has renewed scrutiny over the use of pyrotechnics in large-scale shows. Fans are now urging organizers to prioritize safety over spectacle to ensure such frightening incidents never happen again.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
