[Journalism Internship] Psy’s ‘Summer Swag’ concert series proves controversial

K-pop star Psy’s ongoing water-based concert series “Summer Swag” continues despite facing criticism for wasting water during a long drought.

Only one “Summer Swag” date, in Cheongju, North Chungcheong on Aug. 27, has been canceled, with six other cities still planning to go ahead with the festival as planned. Most tickets are sold out to all the concerts, but Psy continues to face criticism over the excessive amount of drinking water wasted for entertainment purposes, calling on the organizers to either change the plan or cancel the show altogether.

Meanwhile, thousands of people attended the three-day concert that kicked off the tour on July 15 at the Jamsil Auxilary Stadium in southern Seoul. Psy’s signature summer concert was especially popular this year, as it has returned for the first time since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Han Shui-bin, a 23-year-old university student who was at the stadium on July 15 to be soaked in 300 tons of water, was one of them.

“I didn’t feel like the water was being wasted because it wasn’t being sprayed constantly,” Han said.

However, Hong Yu-jin, who attended the concert on June 26 in Incheon, had a different reaction.

“During the concert, the musicians sprayed a lot of water by using water cannons,” Hong said. “My friends from overseas and I were surprised that a big puddle of water was formed after the show. We kind of felt bad for the areas that were suffering from drought.”

Kim Chae-Bin, a 23-year-old university student at George Mason University, said using 300 tons of water per concert doesn’t make sense, especially when it’s drinkable water.

“Three hundred tons of drinking water is a huge amount,” Kim said. “It could have been used to save people in developing countries who die from lack of water. No matter how much water an artist buys and uses, I think it’s an abuse of power. In addition, many people are suffering from drought in Korea as well. Despite what the circumstances are now, using that amount of water for a series of concerts makes no sense at all.”

Thousands of people gather for Psy’s “Summer Swag 2022” show held at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul on July 15. [Han Shui-bin]

Those who are against Psy’s water drenching concerts backed their arguments with reports from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which said that the total precipitation from January to May this year was 160.7 milli- meters, 52 percent of the normal level.

Both young concertgoers and professionals seem to have a split opinion on the issue.

Paul Razafinjatovo, an adjunct faculty member in George Mason University’s Department of Environmental Science and Policy, thinks using such a large amount of water at a music concert is a waste as it can be used for more useful purposes in a country affected by drought, such as Korea.

But Lee Gyu-Tag, an associate professor of cultural studies specializing in K-pop and Hallyu at George Mason University, strikes a more cautious tone, saying that although the criticism toward Psy’s water-soaked concert is under- standable, neither concertgoers nor Psy himself should be blamed since there is no serious legal or moral problem caused by it.

“There are other cases where water is used not for practical purposes but only for fun, such as swimming pools or spas,” Lee said. “Unlike those, Psy’s ‘Summer Swag’ has quickly sparked controversy among the public. Celebrities like Psy are easily targeted and reproached because of their fame. Besides, musicians are not social activists and even don’t have to be.

“If you don’t like those musicians not considering the environmental issue or social issue, you just can choose not to listen to their music.”

However, other people who spoke to the Ko- rea JoongAng Daily said that it is hard to pick one side and judge the festival.

“I think holding various festivals such as the Water Bomb and Super Nova Festival will help to resolve and revive the severe recession in the performance industry over the past two and a half years due to Covid-19,” said Shin Yoon-sung, 24, a university student in Incheon. “However, if water-based festivals damage the economy and local communities due to water usage and the restart of Covid-19, we will have to look at the events critically.

BY KIM SOOYOUN AND KIM EUGENE [skim235@gmu.edu, ekim69@gmu.edu]