Blockchain, Lifetime Bans, and On-Site Sales: Musicians Tackle Ticket Reselling Menace

Courtesy of Hyundai Card

In response to the pervasive issue of ticket scalping affecting the local music scene in South Korea, several prominent singers are implementing innovative measures to protect fans from exorbitant prices.

Jang Beom-jun, a popular singer, recently announced the use of a blockchain system for ticket sales for his upcoming concert. The tickets will be sold as non-fungible tokens, ensuring they cannot be resold to anyone other than the initial buyer. This decision follows the cancellation of his previously sold-out concert due to rampant ticket scalping. 

▲ Courtesy of Hyundai CardK-pop sensation IU took a strict approach by implementing a system that bans individuals caught illegally selling tickets from her fan club for life. Additionally, those reporting such activities are rewarded with the ticket in question.

Sung Si-kyung adopted an on-site ticket sales strategy for his year-end concert, limiting each person to purchasing only one ticket. He actively discouraged fans from engaging in illegal ticket purchases, emphasizing the risk of cancellations and the availability of more tickets on-site.

Several artists, including Lim Young-woong, have adopted a no-warning policy for canceling tickets suspected of being reserved by scalpers. Lim recently canceled 118 reservations for his concert, as reports emerged of tickets being resold at significantly higher prices, reaching up to 5 million won.

The issue of ticket scalping has long plagued the South Korean music industry, with a survey by the Record Label Industry Association of Korea revealing that 32.8 percent of individuals aged 19-29 have bought tickets from scalpers at least once. The association estimates that approximately half of the tickets for sold-out performances end up in the hands of scalpers.

In response to the escalating problem, South Korea recently amended the Public Performance Act to explicitly declare the use of targeted software, or macros, for buying tickets as illegal. Calls for a more comprehensive revision persist to address the legal blind spot that online ticket sales have occupied for decades, as the relevant law was last updated 50 years ago.

Sayart

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com