I don't usually discuss serious topics on the allkpop TV Guide. But this past week, something really big happened, something worth talking about - and it, sadly, didn't need to happen at all.

I am, of course, talking about the hip-hop duo Leessang's announcement that they would be ending all of their stints on variety programs, with Gil on 'Infinity Challenge' and Gary on 'Running Man'. This is a reaction to the massive backlash they have received over a concert ('Super 7'), featuring the 'Infinity Challenge' members, that was produced by Leessang Company.

First of all, here's a quick overview of everything that went down:

Leessang Company (a separate entity from the hip-hop duo, albeit managed by them) announced a 'Super 7' concert a few months ago featuring the Infinity Challenge members, meant as a project for their loyal fans who had waited for them throughout the entire MBC strike.

The problems started a couple days ago, when Leessang Company revealed the pricing structure for the concert. The most expensive tickets - the VIP tickets - were priced at 130,000 won (approx. 115 USD), and those VIP seats covered pretty much half of the entire seating area:



The immediate reaction was harsh and overwhelming; even the most expensive concerts in Korea did not go above 100,000 won, and to go beyond that - especially to see a gaggle of comedians who weren't professional artists - seemed to be a rip-off to many. The seating map was also unusual, with the most expensive areas taking up half of the seats on sale. Many onlookers criticized this pricing scheme as a means for Leessang Company to make a killing off this concert, using the 'Infinity Challenge' members in the process.

In reaction to this overwhelming negative response, Leessang Company announced a reduction in price, dropping the price from 130,000 won to around 90,000 won and eliminating VIP tickets altogether.

See the revised seating chart below, devoid of VIP seats:



However, to some, this only served as a confirmation of their initial claim: that Leessang Company had over-charged on their original prices to make a hefty profit.

The reasoning went like this: since 'Super 7' was connected to 'Infinity Challenge', and since they've held most of their public concerts for free (for example, the 2011 West Coast Highway Music Festival), so the 'Super 7' concert should also be free, or at the very least, moderately priced. 130,000 won was far from moderately priced.

With blame going around the netmosphere (mostly towards Leessang, but also towards the other Infinity Challenge members - including, notably, Yoo Jae Suk), the unthinkable happened: Leessang Company announced a full and immediate cancellation of the 'Super 7' concert, Gil announced he would be dropping out of 'Infinity Challenge', and Gary would be dropping out of 'Running Man'.

If this seems like a massive over-reaction to anyone else, that's because it is.

First of all, the critics of the pricing scheme failed to consider two very important things: 1) this concert was not funded by MBC or 'Infinity Challenge', and was a stand-alone project funded by the members themselves, and 2) the concert would feature some of the most famous artists in Korea, including Psy, Sweet Sorrow, Bada, and Kim Jang Hoon.

Secondly, the ones behind the furor were a very small minority, and definitely did not represent the views of the vast majority of 'Infinity Challenge' fans and viewers.

Put simply, the violent minority became the supposed majority. Big enough for Leessang Company to start listening, and conclude that this was what the actual fanbase believed and wanted.

The term 'silent majority' would be very fitting in this case; most 'Infinity Challenge' fans had been satisfied with the original price drop, and were ready to get out their wallets for an amazing show. They brushed off the minority as irrational hooligans - and in doing so, gave them a clear field to scream all they liked without interruption. And somewhere along the line, their voices reached Gary and Gil - who did not respond too well.

TL;DR: The minority overrode the majority, snuffing out all reasonable discussion in the process. This is a very troubling trend, and something that isn't new, either: we saw it with Tablo, shook our heads again with T-ara, and now it's happened with Leessang (and Leessang Company).

And it also isn't relegated to only South Korea. Although a lot of international fans have deemed themselves 'above' domestic fans when it comes to rationality, how many of us were quick to blame T-ara when the misinformed news articles started being published? I remember reading a comment, here on allkpop, that went something along the lines of "So this is what being an anti feels like".

The most depressing thing about it was that it was one of the top-rated comments in that article.

Even when one of my colleagues (TheProphetBlog) wrote an allkpop editorial asking for neutrality and patience, the comments were flooded with - guess what? - flamebait and irrational arguments. News flash: we're little better than them.

It's difficult to know what kinds of effects Leessang's departure will have on their respective variety shows (and according to word on the street, Gary's departure from 'Running Man' is still up in the air, with many people trying to convince him otherwise) - but if I had to hazard a guess, 'Infinity Challenge' will be hurt less than its SBS counterpart, if only because Gil was (to put it bluntly) a folding screen with precious little airtime. Still, it hurts to see him go this way.

That doesn't mean 'Infinity Challenge' doesn't have its own problems; it very much does, with the so-called "concert scandal" weighing heavily on the members' minds. It's likely that we'll get to see a massive change in member relationships and character dynamics on both programs, if Leessang does indeed make good on their word to quit television.

With everything said and done, the most important thing to do right now is look to the future. We can do that by anticipating how the shows will adapt to this sudden change in cast and atmosphere, but more importantly, we can learn a valuable lesson with this incident: put down the pitchforks until reasonable evidence is presented, or better yet, don't pick up the pitchforks at all. There have been far too many promising acts, events, and talent gone to waste, just because someone on the Internet said "attack!", and the hive mind listened.

 



 



Here's our recommendations on what to catch for the week coming ahead. Keep in mind that these picks are the writer's personal choices; your own opinion may vary. All times in KST.

Monday, September 24

Come to Play  :::  MBC, 11:15 PM

Hosts – Yoo Jae Suk, Kim Won Hee

It's the return of the legendary band, Deulgukhwa! After storming South Korea in the 1980's, the classic rock band is back on 'Come to Play' to talk about their past history, lessons learned, hard times, and more. Travel back in time to the original heyday of Korean rock music, this Monday!

Tuesday, September 25

Win Win  :::  KBS2, 11:05 PM

Hosts - Kim Seung Woo, Tak Jae Hoon, Lee Soo Geun, Lee Ki Kwang

Please welcome Olympic gymnast and newly-minted 'nation's fairy', Son Yeon Jae! Although she was already on 'Running Man' and 'Infinity Challenge' before, she's ready to show her talkative side on one of South Korea's biggest talk programs.  And who's the surprise guest that moved her to tears? Find out on Tuesday!

Wednesday, September 26

Golden Fishery – Radio Star  :::  MBC, 11:05 PM

Hosts – Yoon Jong Shin, Kim Kook Jin, Kyuhyun, Yoo Sae Yoon

[Preview not available at press time.]

Thursday, September 27

 

 

Shin Dong Yup's Guest House  :::  MBC, 11:00 PM

Hosts – Shin Dong Yup, Jang Woo Hyuk, Hwang Sang Min

'Shin Dong Yup's Guest House' is the newest variety program on the block! Together with professor Hwang Sang Min and artist Jang Woo Hyuk, the program seeks to provide a place of respite and safety for all celebrities. If you're a fan of 'Healing Camp', chances are you will love 'Shin Dong Yup's Guest House'!

Friday, September 28

GO Show  :::  SBS, 11:05 PM

Hosts – Go Hyun Jung, Jung Hyung Don, Yoon Jong Shin, Kim Young Chul

[preview not available at press time.]

Saturday,  September 29

Infinity Challenge  :::  MBC, 4:00 PM

Hosts – Yoo Jae Suk, Park Myung Soo, HaHa, Noh Hong Chul, Jung Jun Ha, Jung Hyung Don, Gil

Welcome back to 'Muhan Company', and this time, they have a new intern - Big Bang's G-Dragon! Hilarity ensues as the employees of Muhan Co. strive to stand out amongst their peers. Only one thing can help their rise to the top - be funny! What kinds of wild and crazy antics must the 'Infinity Challenge' team face this time around?

Sunday, September 30

Running Man  :::  SBS, 6:00 PM

Hosts – Yoo Jae Suk, Ji Suk Jin, HaHa, Lee Kwang Soo, Song Ji Hyo, Kim Jong Kook, Gary

It's time for 'Yoo Hyuk' to shine with the Chuseok special, ddakji race! Although it's a simple game of flipping over a folded piece of paper by hitting it with another piece of paper, it can be deceptively hard - how will this simple, yet complicated game turn the tables for the Running Men? Together with guests Yoo Hae Jin, Yeom Jung Hwa, and Jun Mi Sun.

 

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Do you have a (currently ongoing) program you'd like to see reviewed? Something happening in K-variety that you want us to write about? Tell the author via Twitter (@MtnMadman).