Sound of Prada Event in Seoul: Fans Disappointed by Poor Organization and Photo Wall Cancellation

The Sound of Prada event in Seoul unexpectedly wrapped up sooner than planned, leading to the cancellation of various segments, which sparked backlash from fans on social media. On October 24, 2024, the luxurious brand hosted its event in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, with a guest list that included several notable Korean celebrities, such as Karina from aespa, Byeon Woo-seok from Lovely Runner, ENHYPEN, Taemin of SHINee, Kim Tae-ri from Revenant, JEON SOMI, Win Metawin, and Jaehyun from NCT.

As per a report by Chosun Biz, the event concluded before the photo opportunities even commenced. A substantial number of fans congregated along the narrow street adjacent to the Sound of Prada location, prompting the Mayor’s office of Seongdong-gu to request that the organizers call the event to an early close.

Consequently, celebrities Byeon Woo-seok and brand ambassador Karina found themselves waiting in their cars outside, unable to gain access due to the situation. Reports indicated that they ultimately could not attend the event before its abrupt cancellation. In a move to reach out to her fans, Karina used the Bubble app to advise them not to remain outside the venue, urging them to head home instead.

She expressed:

“MY..don’t wait for me and go home..”

This unfolding situation incited indignation among fans who turned to social media to air their grievances regarding the event’s management, leveling accusations of poor organization at the renowned Italian brand. One user on X remarked:

“Luxury brand with poor and unprofessional organizers. Our Karina was left waiting in the car instead of resting after just performing at M Countdown. Worst brand!”

Other fans shared similar frustrations on X.

“The event was set in a location that can barely accommodate traffic (it felt more like an alley). A collision occurred between a bus and a BMW, prompting local police to demand an immediate halt to the proceedings,” another fan noted.

“The Prada event was chaotic,” a user commented.

Fans continued to express their dissatisfaction toward the Italian luxury brand for not implementing adequate safety measures despite the presence of high-profile celebrities.

“With so many big names in attendance… The organizers should have prioritized safety,” one user remarked.

“The crowd control was inadequate! However, Prada should have anticipated this situation given the celebrities they invited. Better planning was essential,” another fan wrote.

“Oh no… I hope everyone is safe. It’s puzzling why they invited additional influencers when they were already at capacity with idols and actors. They should have secured a larger venue,” another user added on X.

Mayor of Seongdong-gu Responds to Sound of Prada Event Cancellation

On October 25, Jeong Won-oh, the Mayor of Seongdong-gu, addressed the situation via X, detailing the measures taken by his office to avert public safety risks owing to the escalating crowd during the Sound of Prada event.

He stated:

“Since around 7 PM yesterday, district officials, along with police and relevant organizations, have been on-site.”

Mayor Jeong further elaborated that the vicinity of the event had a city bus depot, which exacerbated traffic issues during rush hour. As time progressed, the crowd began swelling, raising red flags.

He continued:

“After discussions regarding countermeasures, we urged the organizers to voluntarily conclude the event.”

Additionally, Mayor Jeong posted further clarifications about the incident that transpired at the event. Meanwhile, videos featuring celebrities like Jaehyun, Win Metawin, and Sakaguchi Kentaro who attended the gathering have gone viral across online platforms.

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