‘Lee Sang-jun Show’ LA performance poster.

Hwang In-hee, PD of the YouTube channel ‘Lee Sang-jun Show’, pushed back on several points regarding the recent controversy over the LA performance.

On the 5th, PD Hwang In-hee posted a lengthy message on the channel’s board, saying, “Hello. This is Hwang In-hee, PD of ‘Lee Sang-jun Show’. Regarding the recent LA performance, some matters have been conveyed inaccurately or only in part, so we would like to provide the correct facts on the main issues.”

Hwang wrote, “Even though we conducted an on-site rehearsal and sound check before the performance, we confirmed after the show that there were sound problems at some specific seats. The production team and the local organizer take seriously that we failed to identify the issue more meticulously in advance. We are proceeding with follow-up measures such as apologies and refunds. For the remaining performances, we will inspect more carefully the sound conditions across all seating areas and seats adjacent to speakers,” and he apologized for the uneven sound.

However, he drew a line, saying, “This sound issue arose from the venue facilities and on-site technical operations and is unrelated to comedian Lee Sang-jun’s attitude or performance on stage.”

He dismissed the rumor that ‘Lee Sang-jun was late to the show,’ stating, “Over the past year as we prepared ‘Lee Sang-jun Show’ together, Lee Sang-jun has never once been late for meetings, filming, or performances, and he has prepared more diligently and earnestly than anyone.”

He continued, “Please stop shifting blame onto individual cast members or engaging in personal attacks based on unverified information in connection with this matter,” and emphasized, “We express deep regret that some media outlets amplified the issue by citing personal social media posts and reactions without checking the facts with the production team or the organizer. Claims on personal social media can be a starting point for reporting, but they cannot substitute for fact-checking.”

Hwang added, “We will always humbly accept criticism and problem-raising. We will not ignore but rather confirm and address the opinions of audience members who experienced actual inconvenience,” while also making it clear, “We are collecting relevant materials regarding the act of spreading unverified content as if it were true or re-circulating insults and false information aimed at individual cast members, and we plan to respond on principle after legal review.”

Earlier, Lee Sang-jun faced a backlash due to exposs by netizens claiming to be audience members immediately after the LA show. One attendee criticized, “I went with huge expectations but was totally disappointed. I paid $150 for a front-row ticket, and since it was today’s show, (Lee Sang-jun) entered the U.S. only yesterday, went to a baseball stadium, and didn’t even check the venue. The sound system was a complete mess, so I couldn’t hear a thing.”

They added, “Not only me, but everyone seated on the left side complained that they couldn’t hear. If you’re going to run a world tour, you should check the venue’s system in advance and prepare properly; it feels like they’re making this too big. I’m really angry.”

Another attendee said, “While people say 90% of stand-up comedy consists of sexual jokes, the content of yesterday’s show was at a level that middle and high schoolers might have enjoyed in the 1980s, and even that seemed recycled from what had been uploaded to YouTube,” and criticized, “When the sound was bad and hard to hear, what kind of nerve is it to appear on stage 10 minutes late?”

However, while apologizing for the sound issues, PD Hwang denied the tardiness allegation and warned against spreading false information. In another comment, he wrote, “Lee Sang-jun and the production team arrived at the venue before the show and conducted rehearsal and sound checks as normal. The show began later than scheduled because audience entry was delayed,” adding, “With many audience members still not seated by the scheduled start time, it was difficult to begin the show solely for the sake of the clock, so we adjusted the start time in light of on-site conditions. This is an operational adjustment that can occur at performances where large numbers of attendees are entering.”