00:00 Intro
00:13 Visiting the First 'Low-Carbon' K-Pop Concert in Person
02:17 Going to a Concert for Fun, but Calculating Carbon Too?
02:57 How Are Overseas Concerts Doing It?
04:37 What About South Korean K-Pop Agencies?

Today, let's talk about K-pop concerts. Concerts and carbon emissions might not seem immediately connected. However, through my reporting this time, I came to realize just how much carbon is emitted during a single large-scale performance drawing tens of thousands of people.

1. Visiting the First 'Low-Carbon' K-Pop Concert in Person
The place I visited last weekend was Incheon Munhak Stadium. It was a festival called 'Sustainable Wave', headlined by god. Looking just at the roaring cheers from the stage, it seemed no different from any other major K-pop festival. However, the way the concert was staged was completely different.

[Han Mun-gyu / CEO of Sound Alliance: We cautiously attempted this because we believed it was necessary to apply it to the concert performance industry as well. That is why our festival's sub-theme is 'Start Wave'. It carries the meaning of taking one step at a time.]

Going backstage, large batteries and mobile energy storage systems (ESS) were deployed to reduce the use of diesel generators, which typically supply power for outdoor concerts. Instead of disposable plastic water bottles, all artists on stage used tumblers. A moment of laughter even broke out when members of god struggled to open their tumbler lids on stage.

[There are arrows on both sides here.]
[Ah~]

There was also an unfamiliar scene in the audience. A QR code appeared on the electronic billboard, which took audiences to a page titled 'Find Out My Carbon Footprint'. Concertgoers entered their departure location and mode of transportation and took part in various surveys, all aimed at calculating carbon emissions.

[Han Mun-gyu / CEO of Sound Alliance: In terms of carbon emissions, most come from audience travel... We are measuring whether they arrive using public transportation or private cars. We are also measuring the amount of electricity used for the concert.]

So, what were the interim tally results that day?

[Cho Hyo-jin / Head of Carbon Neutral Service Company: Based on calculations (up to the middle of the event), the carbon emissions reduced compared to typical K-pop or festival concerts were about 20%.]

Of course, this does not mean the overall emissions for the entire concert were reduced by 20%. Total emissions for the concert are calculated after the event concludes by adding up electricity usage, audience travel, staff mobility, and more. Strictly speaking, it is also difficult to call this concert a fully 'carbon-neutral concert.'

[Han Mun-gyu / CEO of Sound Alliance: We are cautious about even phrasing it as having fully offset everything... (So you mean this is a stage where you are making the best efforts toward carbon neutrality?) Yes.]

2. Going to a Concert for Fun, but Calculating Carbon Too?
At this point, a question arises: Why do we have to calculate carbon emissions at a concert meant for enjoyment? Let me share a figure with you. When a major entertainment agency measured carbon emissions from its concerts, the single event with the highest emissions generated 3,291 tons. That is equivalent to the emissions produced by 715 gasoline-powered cars driving on the road all year round. In a 2007 study analyzing carbon emissions from the UK music industry, about 73% of total emissions came from live performances. Not albums, not streaming—live performances accounted for the overwhelming majority.

3. How Are Overseas Concerts Doing It?
Abroad, such initiatives are already spreading rapidly. Coldplay is a leading example. They generate electricity with solar energy during the day, store it in batteries, and use it for night shows. They even introduced 'kinetic floors' where audience members generate power themselves by pedaling stationary bikes or jumping on the floor. As a result, they reduced direct carbon emissions per show by 59% compared to their previous world tour. During their concert in South Korea in April last year, the return rate of LED wristbands reached 99%. Billie Eilish installed 136 solar panels on her Lollapalooza stage in the United States. The installation took just four hours, and solar-charged batteries powered major stage elements, including lighting, audio, and video. However, there are reasons why these overseas approaches are difficult to replicate directly in South Korea. The producer behind Billie Eilish's climate campaign pointed out the following:

[Kurt Langer / Producer of Billie Eilish's 'Overheated': In South Korea, 60% of electricity comes from fossil fuels, while solar and wind account for only 6%, which is less than half of the global average of 15%.]

Using batteries does not automatically make an event low-carbon. What matters is what kind of electricity was used to charge them. This is also why this festival decided to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) corresponding to its power consumption. This shows that the efforts of individual concerts alone have limitations, and decarbonization of the power grid itself must proceed hand in hand.

4. What About South Korean K-Pop Agencies?
Then, what about South Korean K-pop agencies? There is a climate organization created directly by K-pop fans called 'Kpop4Planet', where global fans participate. When they analyzed the sustainability management reports published by the top five entertainment agencies, no cases of utilizing renewable energy in concerts were confirmed. If there has been any progress, it is 'measurement.' One agency measures and discloses emissions for every concert, while others stated that they have begun measurements, though specific data has not been made public. Agencies have begun measuring emissions, but none are actively reducing them yet.

[Kim Na-yeon / Campaigner for Kpop4Planet: While they are showing signs of change, we have yet to see actual activities that substantially reduce carbon emissions.]

The mindset of fans is already far ahead. When 601 K-pop fans worldwide were surveyed, 92% responded that they want more low-carbon concerts. However, only 14% of fans had actually experienced one. When asked what change they want the most, the top answer was neither renewable energy stages nor plastic bans. It was 'idols directly delivering climate messages,' ranking highest at 58.6%. There is a clear example demonstrating how powerful this can be in reality. In 2021, when BLACKPINK served as COP26 goodwill ambassadors and launched climate action campaigns, the response from global fans was so tremendous that the British prime minister at the time personally sent a letter of gratitude. Seeing that very moment, Kpop4Planet was founded upon confirming that "fans can make a difference." When asked why fans feel such urgency, the campaigner's response was memorable.

[Kim Na-yeon / Campaigner for Kpop4Planet: We have already experienced concerts disappearing during COVID-19. Fans never want to go back to those times... Even now, more and more concerts are being suspended or canceled due to severe weather conditions...]

The desire to protect the spaces where they meet their favorite artists is driving fans toward climate action. Then why is it difficult to expand this in South Korea? The answer from this festival's organizer was unexpected. It was not due to a lack of technology.

[Han Mun-gyu / CEO of Sound Alliance: The needs of those who want to apply eco-friendly practices to performances and the needs of those producing the shows do not overlap... Those who focus on carbon neutrality and renewable energy want to make changes, but communication between the two sides itself can be very difficult.]

Because the needs and working styles of the climate-tech industry and the concert industry are different, even connecting the two sectors is not easy. The cost issue is also a reality.

[Han Mun-gyu / CEO of Sound Alliance: Transitioning to renewable energy costs money. Electric generator trucks also still cost more... So it is true that, overall, this festival incurs higher costs.]

On top of that, the institutional foundation is still lacking. While the government has green event guidelines, they are standards established in 2008. There are currently no unified, up-to-date standards suited to today's K-pop concert industry and carbon measurement methods. Large concert venues are often operated by local governments, while the concert industry falls under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and carbon and energy policies are linked to climate authorities. As multiple entities are intertwined, experts point out the need for a collaborative framework. Still, the movement has begun. The organizers stated that they are discussing plans to hold one concert each in Seoul and Incheon starting next year, and inquiries from local governments expressing interest in collaborating are continuing. In addition, discussions are underway in the National Assembly to form a consultative body involving both the government and industry to establish guidelines for carbon-neutral concerts.

[Kurt Langer / Producer of Billie Eilish's 'Overheated': If prominent K-pop artists and agencies adopt low-carbon standards, they will become a model that every other artist will want to follow.]

Having transformed the world stage, whether K-pop can now change the very way that stages are created—that first step has officially begun.

(Reported by Jang Seon-i | Written by Shin Hee-sook | Filmed by Choi Ho-jun, Kim Seung-tae, VJ Oh Se-kwan | Video by Ahn Jun-hyeok | Design by Lee Jung-joo | Video Source: YouTube 'ryanqkfcman', 'Coldplay', 'Billie Eilish', 'KPOP4PLANET' | Produced by SBS Digital News)