PSY’s iconic SUMMER SWAG concert series, known for its high-energy performances and extravagant water effects, has once again found itself at the center of a controversy. Netizens and K-Pop fans alike are expressing their dissatisfaction after a recent show led to a significant disruption, marking a recurring issue for the beloved annual event.
The latest incident unfolded on August 15th, when a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League game between the NC Dinos and Lotte Giants was underway at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium. Around 8:42 p.m., the baseball field was suddenly enveloped in dense smoke, forcing a temporary pause in the highly anticipated match.
It was quickly identified that the source of the thick smoke was none other than fireworks launched during PSY’s SUMMER SWAG concert, which was taking place at the nearby Busan Asiad Main Stadium. Strong winds carried the smoke directly into Sajik Stadium, drastically reducing visibility for players and spectators. The situation became so severe that umpires had no choice but to halt the game for safety reasons.
사직야구장 덮친 연기로인해 19분간 경기중단
사직구장에서 도보로 약 10분거리에 있는
부산 아시아드주경기장에선 가수 싸이의 공연
흠뻑쇼가 진행중이였음공연에서 발생한 불꽃 연기가
사직구장 쪽으로 유입된 것으로 보고있움 pic.twitter.com/EnZ9s1kqap
The Lotte Giants promptly informed anxious spectators via the scoreboard that the game was temporarily suspended due to fireworks smoke originating from a concert event near the stadium, providing much-needed clarity during the unexpected stoppage.
Fortunately, the smoky conditions didn’t last long, and visibility was restored relatively quickly. The game was able to resume at 9:01 p.m., bringing an end to the roughly 19-minute suspension and allowing the players to finish their match.
However, the relief was quickly overshadowed by a wave of disappointment and frustration, as fans remembered a strikingly similar incident from just last year. In August of the previous year, a fireworks display from PSY’s SUMMER SWAG concert, also held at the Busan Asiad Auxiliary Stadium, caused another game suspension at Sajik Baseball Stadium.
The recurrence of this exact situation, at the same location and impacting the same sport, after just one year, has ignited a fresh wave of controversy. Fans and media are now actively debating what’s being dubbed the “SUMMER SWAG nuisance,” questioning the concert’s impact on public events and calling for measures to prevent future disruptions.
