"Tickets cost 420,000 won, but the pay is zero?"... WOODZ's team apologizes after backlash over 'exploitative hiring'

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\r\n[Financial News] Ahead of singer WOODZ's world tour concert in Germany, outrage is mounting after it was revealed that the local organizer posted a recruitment notice for staff in the form of unpaid volunteers. As criticism spread over the so-called "passion pay" controversy, in which workers were expected to meet demanding qualifications while receiving no proper compensation despite high ticket prices, his agency issued a formal apology and moved to contain the fallout.
On the 8th, screenshots of a recruitment notice for staff to work at WOODZ's world tour, "Archive. 1," concert in Germany quickly spread across online communities.
The core of the controversy was the unreasonable working conditions. According to the notice, hired workers would be assigned practical tasks at the venue at random, including maintaining audience order, managing the MD booth, and assisting the show runner. Applicants were required to be fluent in three languages — Korean, German and English — and preference would be given to those with experience in K-pop concerts or knowledge of lighting and sound.
However, despite demanding such professional skills, the compensation was listed as unpaid. Instead of wages, the organizer offered "meals and the opportunity to watch the concert."
As the notice spread, online criticism poured in, with many accusing the organizer of trying to save labor costs by exploiting fans' devotion. Public anger grew further because ticket prices for WOODZ's Germany shows were set at the high end, with general admission at 90 euros, or about 150,000 won, and VIP seats at 245 euros, or about 420,000 won.
Netizens strongly criticized the move, saying, "Are they trying to cover on-site labor with free volunteers while selling tickets worth hundreds of thousands of won?" "Presenting concert attendance as some kind of great reward is a problem," and "The requirements, including three-language fluency, are far too much when no wages are being paid." As the backlash intensified, the person who wrote the notice explained, "I posted it because I thought it could be a good opportunity for fans," but recruitment has now closed.
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As the controversy spiraled out of control, WOODZ's agency, EDAM Entertainment, issued an official statement and apologized on the 8th.
The agency said, "We have confirmed the facts with the local concert organizer regarding the matter," adding, "We sincerely apologize for not sufficiently reviewing the details in advance."
It continued, "We will work closely with the local concert organizer on any shortcomings in the local production process so that necessary measures can be taken," and promised, "We will strengthen communication with local partners and review matters more carefully and thoroughly so that the overall concert operation process can proceed smoothly in the future."
Meanwhile, WOODZ, who debuted in 2014 as a member of the group UNIQ and later established himself as a solo singer-songwriter through the audition program Produce X 101, won widespread acclaim last year when his self-composed song "Drowning" surged back up the charts. He is currently on a world tour and is scheduled to meet European fans starting in Berlin, Germany, on June 7, followed by London on the 10th, Frankfurt am Main on the 12th, and Paris on the 13th.
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moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter