The anticipation for the Music Bank Madrid concert, scheduled for October 12, 2024, has been marred by controversy following the abrupt cancellation of the event. On September 19, KST, KBS issued a now-deleted statement accusing Real Madrid and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium administration of unilaterally canceling the highly anticipated concert, which was set to feature popular K-pop acts including ENHYPEN, aespa, and BOYNEXTDOOR.
The cancellation, announced by Real Madrid on September 13, cited “noise complaints from local residents” as the reason for halting all events at the stadium until March 2025. However, KBS contended that the decision was made without prior notification to the network, local organizers Sonde3, KOREAN POWER, A.I.E., or the K-pop artists themselves, leaving fans and organizers blindsided.
KBS’s statement expressed frustration over Real Madrid’s lack of communication and accountability, noting that six days had passed since the announcement without any official explanation or apology. The network emphasized that this silence is not only unfair to the thousands of fans eagerly awaiting the concert but also detrimental to the Music Bank brand, which has built its reputation over 15 years of global events.
Concerns were also raised about the significant impact on the K-pop artists who had prepared extensively for the concert. The cancellation not only disappoints fans but disrupts the schedules of the eight K-pop groups who were traveling from Korea to Madrid for the event.
In response to the situation, KBS has issued three key demands to Real Madrid: an official apology to fans and artists, compensation for the financial and ethical losses incurred, and a collaborative effort to reschedule the concert. The network has expressed its willingness to negotiate with local authorities to address noise concerns and explore potential compromises to allow the concert to proceed.
