DJ Peggy Gou performance at Boiler Room Seoul canceled due to overcrowding

The eagerly awaited performance by Berlin-based Korean DJ Peggy Gou at Boiler Room Seoul 2024 was canceled on Sunday due to safety concerns prompted by an overwhelming crowd.

Korean DJ Peggy Gou poses for a photo at the annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Cannes Gala held in southern France, on the sidelines of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, on May 23. [AFP/YONHAP]

The eagerly awaited performance by Berlin-based Korean DJ Peggy Gou at Boiler Room Seoul 2024 was canceled on Sunday due to safety concerns prompted by an overwhelming crowd.

The popular DJ was included in the lineup for the iconic music festival held at SFactory in Seongsu-dong. The event was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday and run until 4 a.m. the following day. However, due to the excessive number of attendees, it was cut short around 1 a.m., just before Peggy Gou was set to take the stage.

While there were no casualties, five individuals suffered from breathing difficulties and were sent home after receiving necessary care. The audience has since demanded compensation, accusing the organizers of overselling tickets without considering the venue’s capacity.

The venue is said to accommodate about 2,000 people, but about 6,000 tickets went on sale, according to media reports.

An image of the inside of the venue of Boiler Room Seoul 2024 [YONHAP]

Peggy Gou took to social media to express her frustration, urging event organizers to promptly issue refunds to all ticket purchasers.

“I am deeply upset and heartbroken that my performance was canceled before I even had the chance to play my music due to the organizer's operation and safety issues,” Gou wrote on her Instagram story early Sunday.

She also assured fans that efforts are underway to schedule another performance. “We are working on scheduling the next performance as soon as possible for those who came today and those who couldn't get in. So please wait a little longer,” she added.

Peggy Gou made her recording debut in 2016. She became the first Korean DJ to play in Berlin's nightclub Berghain. In 2019, Forbes named her as one of the Asian leaders, pioneers and entrepreneurs under age 30. Her hits include recent releases like "(It Goes Like) Nanana" (2023), "Starry Night" (2019) and "Back to One" (2024).

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]