The 2nd day of the 2024 MAMA Awards, held at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka, Japan, featured a star-studded lineup, including BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars, and many were excepting the two to perform their latest hit single "APT" live.
However, this excitement that attendees had quickly turned into a huge disappointment upon discovering that the performance was pre-recorded.
For Korean fans watching the event online, the lack of a live performance was a letdown, but for Japanese fans who spent thousands in yen to attend the event in person, it felt like a betrayal. Many had hoped to witness the debut of "APT" live, only to be met with a video playback of the performance.
Japanese fans quickly took to social media to express their anger and share videos of the actual performance playback. In the video, fans were visibly disappointed as they became silent as soon as the pre-recorded performance of "APT" was displayed on the large screens at the venue.
Translation: "The audience at the venue was confused and couldn't get excited."
Other Japanese fans commented:
"The fans and artists who were at the event watched the video together."
"I thought we would be able to watch the live performance in person..."
"I purchased the studio ticket paying thousands of JPY to see them perform..."
"People are starting to feel this was a scam."
"I feel like I was deceived. I expected a live performance, that's why I bought the tickets."
"I get how people feel but they shouldn't have spent so much on buying tickets from resellers. But Rose and Bruno Mars' performance was great even it was pre-recorded."
"I was looking so forward to seeing the live performance and thought we would see it but it was funny when they played a video. But I do want to say Rose and Bruno Mars are not at fault."
"Everyone felt the same."
"I was looking forward to this but then only a video was played and it was over so quickly."
"Felt like we were just sitting in front of a TV."
"I was so taken aback when they played a video of the performance pre-recording."
"Huh? I thought I read somewhere this would be their first live performance of 'APT' at Osaka, was that a lie? I guess we were expecting too much when they were revealing a worldwide hit song's performance for the first time in Japan."
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