The 2023 World Scout Jamboree K-Pop Concert Damages The Stadium’s Expensive Grass

The 2023 World Scout Jamboree held its main event, the K-POP SUPER LIVE concert on August 11. It was an exciting concert, with over 43,000 people attending the event and many K-Pop artists performing their hit songs. However, the remnants of the concert were not as exciting.

Your browser does not support video.| KBS World/YouTube 

The K-POP SUPER LIVE concert was originally planned to be held at Saemangeum Campground on August 6, but due to the sudden concerns of a quickly-approaching Typhoon Khanun, the location and date were changed to the Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 11.

Seoul World Cup Stadium | K League United

With K-Pop idols like ITZY, NewJeans, NCT Dream, Kwon Eunbi, MAMAMOO, and Xikers performing, the Scouts appeared to enjoy the concert.

| KBS World/YouTube 

It was reported that the concert damaged the turf at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Before the concert, there were concerns regarding the last-minute installation of the stage and audience seats in the stadium because of the potential damage to the stadium grass. The hybrid turf was only laid just two years ago in 2021 when the Seoul Facilities Management Corporation spent ₩1.00 billion KRW (about $748,000 USD) on the hybrid turf consisting of 95% natural grass and 5% artificial grass.

Seoul World Cup Stadium | @SpursOfficial/Twitter

On August 15, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) announced that they will collaborate with the Seoul Facilities Management Corporation to restore the damaged turf. They stated that they will restore the turf by August 17 without bringing disruptions to the football match that will be held there soon.

By the 17th, we will complete the emergency restoration of the damaged turf due to the stage installation, ensuring that there are no disruptions to the K League 1 football match between FC Seoul and Daegu FC on the 19th.

— The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

Furthermore, the MCST promised that after the match on August 19, they will assess the condition of the turf and, if necessary, carry out additional restoration work to make sure there are no issues for the football matches. The MCST will also provide support for the expenses required for the turf restoration.

The Korea Professional Football Federation inspected the condition of the grass at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 14 and announced that if the restoration work proceeds as planned, there will be no issues with hosting K League matches.