THE fall-out from the “King of K-pop” G-Dragon shows on July 19 and 20 continues unabated with domestic concert-goers venting their fury over the unavailability of tickets.
The problem was further compounded with scalpers immediately re-selling the hot item tickets at inflated prices with many landing in the hands of mainland China fans instead.
Fan anger was picked up by local English-language radio station FlyFM (@FlyFM958) which demanded to know on X why Malaysians were unable to get tickets for a performance held in the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
View this post on Instagram
As it was claimed that scalpers were charging up to RM24,000 for tickets in some cases, the radio station called for better organisation to prevent future concerts descending into such a mess.
The post also listed a number of recommendations that were collated from feedback on social media.
Malaysian concertgoers are fed up. Concerts are held here, but locals can’t even get tickets? Make it make sense 🤷♀️🎟️
And don’t even get us started on scalpers charging up to RM24k 🤢
Time to put a stop to this mess. Agree or not? pic.twitter.com/GMFQ5swKDt
— Fly FM 🇲🇾 (@FlyFM958) July 21, 2025
It was postulated that Malaysian buyers be limited to four tickets each with a system that will spot credit cards being used multiple times as well as block bots from joining the queue.
The post also jokingly added the proviso that purchasers must sing one chorus to prove their fandom before declaring – “Let’s bring the fun back to concerts”.
That point was hammered home rather more forcefully by Rhjin Eoghan Seamus (@chinhong2018) who fumed that he was made to feel like a foreigner in his own country.
He went on to claim that the entire event seemed designed to cater to foreign tourists, especially those from China – and even as a Chinese Malaysian – he was quite fed up.
As a chinese malaysian, im pissed too. Feel like they want to cater Chinese frm🇨🇳 rather than local Malaysians even tho the venue is in Msia. Tbh, if y’all have threads or xhs, many Chinese Malaysians are fed up that the 🇨🇳 flocked to the stadium making us like foreigners there https://t.co/9tkPYht1qq
— Rhijn Eoghan Seamus (@chinhong2018) July 19, 2025
The view that this G-Dragon gig was tailored exclusively for Chinese audience was reinforced by Ejen Alif (@alif_shinken) in a post containing a video of a lucky draw event by AirAsia in Gurney Plaza, Penang.
Why was the announcement made in Chinese when it is for a G-Dragon concert in KL, asked the perplexed commenter who tagged the Communications Ministry to express his disgruntlement.
Same goes to @airasia event at Gurney Plaza this morning. At least English la, we want to join the fun too! @komunikasi_gov can check kot. https://t.co/7zGWaP1d21 pic.twitter.com/qh5pe2Guyo
— Ejen AliF 🇲🇾 (@alif_shinken) July 19, 2025
However, this claim that the event was held primarily in Chinese was dismissed by some who were there, including one who claimed to be staff.
For sure, better regulation is required. This is to ensure local fans are not alienated from events held in their own backyard.
However, the influx of Chinese nationals for the concert is no bad thing. Yes, local K-pop fans may be angry and disappointed but one of the primary reasons for having such concerts is to energise the local economy.
And that is better served when large number of tourists visit. If a K-pop concert is the enticement for them to book a ticket to these shores, why not? – July 24, 2025
Main image credit: Lifestyle Hong Kong
