SARAM Entertainment has addressed chatter that Lee Soo-hyuk was overworked during his recent fan event in China, issuing a statement to clarify what happened.
Taiwanese outlet EBC reported that Lee’s Aug. 30 fan meeting in Hangzhou, China―billed as “Eternal Magic Hour”―stretched to roughly 12 hours from an originally planned six-and-a-half, and that an air-conditioning malfunction left the venue sweltering as the actor continued onstage, sparking “overwork” claims online.
In a statement on the 5th, SARAM Entertainment said inaccurate information was circulating and laid out the official schedule: a rehearsal viewing from 12:00 to 12:15 PM, the main program from 2:00 to 6:30 PM, and a benefit session from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The main show ran about four and a half hours, the agency noted, adding that the high energy on site led to some delays.
“We continuously checked on the actor’s condition and intentions,” the company said, explaining that Lee “repeatedly expressed that, since it had been a while since he met fans, he wanted to give his all,” which resulted in him spending more time with attendees than scheduled. For safety reasons, organizers asked him to remain until the crowd had fully exited, and he departed only after all fans had left, the agency added.
Addressing the cooling issues, SARAM acknowledged, “The venue was hotter than expected and the air-conditioning was insufficient.” The company thanked Lee and the fans “for seeing it through to the end” and pledged to “be more attentive to our artists and fans and prepare thoroughly so there is no discomfort at any official events in Korea or abroad.”
Lee recently left YG Entertainment and signed with SARAM Entertainment in July. The Hangzhou fan meeting marked his first overseas official engagement since the move.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)