Calls for transparent ticket sales went unheeded

[Mountain Movement Story]
[Mountain Movement Story]

Lee Jae-jin, a member of the K-pop group Jekki, has announced he will not take part in a year-end performance he had been set to join alongside fellow members Ko Ji-yong and Jang Su-won, citing transparency concerns after learning that ticket payments were being collected in cash through the organizer's personal bank account.

Lee issued a statement Tuesday saying he wanted to clarify the facts behind his decision to withdraw from the year-end event at Inspire Resort.

The controversy arose during preparations for a year-end dinner show titled "THE TREE in INSPIRE — Jekki's Untold Stories," scheduled for Dec. 15 and 16 at Inspire Resort on Yeongjongdo, Incheon, featuring Ko, Jang and Lee.

Lee said the organizer had approached him first with a proposal, and that he had never been informed during the booking discussions that ticket payments would be collected through a personal bank account rather than an official ticketing platform.

"Through tips from fans, I learned that Hwang Ji-seon, the head of the organizing company Mountain Movement Story, had been contacting fans individually and receiving payments into a personal account," Lee said. "I also confirmed on multiple occasions that fans who had requested refunds had not yet received them."

Lee said he had urged the organizer to process refunds promptly and to sell tickets through an official platform in a transparent manner, but decided to withdraw after those concerns went unresolved.

"I conveyed my intention not to participate to the organizer on multiple occasions, and the organizer acknowledged this," Lee said. "Discussions over my appearance never led to a final contract, and I did not sign any agreement."

Lee expressed strong displeasure that his name and photos were still being used in promotional materials for the event even after he had communicated his withdrawal.

He also rebuffed media reports suggesting he had personally planned or driven the Inspire event. "I had no part in planning or organizing this event," he said.

Lee called on the organizer to immediately stop using his name and likeness in promotions and to correct any existing materials that implied his participation had been confirmed.

"This statement is intended to prevent harm to fans and to correct confusion caused by inaccurate information," Lee added. "I will continue to put the trust and safety of my fans first."

Mountain Movement Story had organized the event — bringing together Ko, Jang and Lee — ahead of Jekki's 30th debut anniversary next year. Members Eun Ji-won and Kim Jae-deok are not taking part.

The event has run into trouble less than a month before its scheduled dates, however, with a Jekki fan coalition issuing a statement opposing Ko's involvement and a separate controversy erupting over high ticket prices.

Meanwhile, Ko left the entertainment industry after Jekki disbanded in 2000 to focus on business. When Jekki reunited on MBC's "Infinite Challenge" in 2016, Ko made only a brief surprise appearance on stage and did not resume activities with the group. Jekki has operated as a four-member act since Kang Sung-hoon's departure in 2019.


jshan@heraldcorp.com