NYT 요약
South Korea Can’t Build Enough Stadiums to Host Its K-Pop Stars
April 13, 2026
한국은 K-팝의 세계적 위상에도 불구하고 아티스트들이 공연할 만한 전문 공연장이 부족함
최근 BTS 투어의 첫 공연장 고양종합운동장은 원래 적자에 시달리던 오래된 축구장이었으나, 대안이 없어 선택됨
서울 잠실 주경기장은 리모델링 중이고, 서울월드컵경기장은 잔디 훼손 문제로 대관이 어려움
이로 인해 테일러 스위프트 같은 글로벌 팝스타들이 아시아 투어에서 한국을 제외함
2013년부터 추진된 국내 최초 공연 전문 복합단지 'K-컬처 밸리'는 당초 CJ 그룹이 주도하며 기대를 모았음
하지만 CJ 회장의 구속, 정치적 논란, 인허가 지연, 전력 공급 문제 등 악재가 겹치며 공사가 중단됨
결국 경기도는 CJ와의 계약을 해지했고, 현재는 양측 간의 법적 소송 중임
현재 고양종합운동장이 블랙핑크, 콜드플레이 등의 공연을 유치하며 흑자로 돌아섰지만, 위치와 시설 면에서 완벽한 대안은 아님
전문가들은 'K-컬처 밸리'의 실패가 한국 공연 인프라 발전을 가로막았으며, 이로 인해 막대한 경제적 기회를 놓치고 있다고 지적함
Despite the global stature of K-pop, Korea lacks professional venues suitable for artists to perform.
Goyang Sports Complex, the venue for the first stop of the recent BTS tour, was originally an old, deficit-ridden soccer stadium, but it was chosen due to a lack of alternatives.
Seoul Jamsil Main Stadium is currently undergoing remodeling, and Seoul World Cup Stadium is difficult to rent due to complaints with damaged field.
As a result, global pop stars like Taylor Swift have excluded Korea from their Asian tours.
"K-Culture Valley," the nation's first complex dedicated to performances, which has been under development since 2013, initially garnered high expectations as it was spearheaded by the CJ Group.
However, construction was halted due to a confluence of setbacks, including the arrest of the CJ chairman, political controversies, delays in permits and approvals, and power supply issues.
Ultimately, Gyeonggi Province terminated its contract with CJ, and legal disputes between the two parties are currently ongoing.
Although Goyang Sports Complex has turned a profit by hosting concerts by Blackpink and Coldplay, it is not a perfect alternative in terms of location and facilities.
Experts argue that the failure of "K-Culture Valley" has hindered the development of Korea's performance infrastructure, It was pointed out that enormous economic opportunities are being missed as a result.