Hong Kong protests: fans singing the blues as K-pop stars and other big-name acts give city a miss

More than 50 cultural or entertainment events and exhibitions have been called off or postponed, leaving fans disappointed and organisers counting their losses

With disruptions at airport, MTR stations and shopping malls making the news internationally, visitor arrivals have tumbled 40 per cent year on year

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Boy band’s Got7’s concerts on August 31 and September 1 were postponed. Photo: Facebook

Published: 10:00am, 21 Sep 2019Updated: 12:36pm, 18 Feb 2020

Christy, a 20-year-old law student in Britain, was looking forward to her summer break back home in Hong Kong and catching a concert by her favourite K-pop boy band, GOT7.

Her heart sank when the band’s concerts on August 31 and September 1 were postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances resulting from the latest social situation in Hong Kong”, according to its agency, JYP Entertainment. There were also concerns about the safety of fans at the Hong Kong stop of the band’s world tour.

“I bought tickets very early on through a channel for fans as I really wanted to get front-row tickets,” said Christy, who declined to be named in full. “I spent more than HK$2,000 (US$256) on a ticket.”

She got a refund, but remained sorely disappointed.

“I definitely was looking forward to it,” said the GOT7 fan of about three years.

Scottish band Chvrches also cancelled their Hong Kong gig. Photo: Handout