Rapper Rich Iggy (Rich Iggy) holding bundles of cash to his face. His first solo concert had been scheduled for the 23rd at Yeonnam Space in Mapo District, Seoul, but was canceled on the 18th amid controversy over ‘lyrics disparaging former President Roh Moo-hyun’. His Instagram account
The concert by the rapper Rich Iggy (Rich Iggy·Lee Min-seo), who released tracks containing disparagement of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun and themes such as pedophilia, has been canceled.
The Roh Moo-hyun Foundation issued a statement on the 19th, saying, “The hate performance was canceled as a result of the foundation response.” The foundation explained that it judged the show to be an insulting plan that intentionally used a ticket price of 52,300 won, which evokes the late former President Roh Moo-hyun death anniversary (May 23), and on the 18th sent an official document to the organizer demanding immediate cancellation of the performance, a written explanation, and an official apology.
The foundation said it received a reply from the organizer stating, “The performers have conveyed that they will not proceed with the show, and an official apology is scheduled to be posted via their own social networking service (SNS).”
The venue Yeonnam Space and the concert planning company also issued statements that day. Yeonnam Space said, “The performance scheduled for May 23 was finally canceled on the afternoon of the 18th after consultation with the concert planning company.” The venue added, “It was an external rental contract, and at the time of the contract we were told only that it was ‘a group performance by hip-hop musicians’,” and, “Through a report from the foundation, we confirmed the detailed content and poster of the performance, and the controversy surrounding the musician.”
It also said, “We do not aim to allow expressions of hate·disparagement toward any specific individual or group,” and said it would supplement the rental procedures.
The concert planning company also said, “Content raised on some social media, such as ‘sent a false email’ or ‘will push ahead with the performance’, is not true,” and conveyed that refunds would be guided in sequence to purchasers by text message.
The performance was scheduled to begin at 5:23 p.m. on the 23rd, and the ticket price was 52,300 won. A debate over intent arose because the date·time·price all evoked the late former President Roh Moo-hyun death anniversary.
Debuting in 2024, Rich Iggy has continued to write lyrics that mock the death of the former president or evoke sexual crimes against children.
