Belfast’s SSE Arena responds to complaints and family walkouts over K-Pop tribute show: “There were children crying”
Key takeaways
Quick summary- 1Tribute' [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/KPopForevertribute-show-complaints-response-SSE-Arena-Belfast.jpg]Belfast’s SSE Arena has responded to…
- 2'K-Pop Forever!
'K-Pop Forever! Tribute' [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/KPopForevertribute-show-complaints-response-SSE-Arena-Belfast.jpg]
Belfast’s SSE Arena has responded to complaints over its recent K-Pop tribute show after some disappointed families walked out.
The ‘K-Pop Forever! Tribute’ took place at the venue last night (Thursday February 19), with thousands of children and parents in attendance. Many marked the occasion by dressing up as characters from the hit Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters.
An official listing describes the production as a “truly one-of-a-kind, all-action concert” featuring “all-live performances of smash hits” by the likes of BTS
and BLACKPINK
, as well as a rendition of HUNTR/X
’s chart-topping single ‘Golden’.
Organisers said the gig was an “ultimate non-stop party for all ages”, adding: “‘K-Pop Forever!’ will take audiences on a journey that they will never forget with four epic LIVE vocalists, accompanied by four world-class dancers amidst a background of eye-popping lighting and effects.
“With breathtaking choreography, plus songs inspired by the record-breaking film KPop Demon Hunters, this spectacular is one not to be missed.”
> Calling all K-POP fans! ✨ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2728.png]🔥 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f525.png]
>
> After two sold-out shows, K-POP FOREVER! Tribute is returning to The SSE Arena, Belfast for an extra date on Saturday 16 May 2026.
>
> 🎟 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f39f.png] Don't miss your chance to see it live! Get your tickets now https://t.co/wTAmto8eoQ pic.twitter.com/Hp4UzBST8p
>
> — The SSE Arena, Belfast (@SSEBelfastArena) January 3, 2026
However, some ticketholders were left unimpressed by what they saw on stage last night. As Belfast Live notes, one parent called the show “a shambles”.
“A K-Pop tribute band with not one KPop [Demon Hunters] song sang until one hour and 20 minutes into the show,” they told the outlet. “There were children crying, the show wasn’t as advertised.”
Others reportedly complained on social media about the sound quality, “adult” costumes, unfamiliar music and the photo used to advertise the concert. It is said that large numbers of attendees walked out before the show had finished.
But some people have defended the organisers, saying the official promos explained that the evening would feature a range of K-Pop music, rather than just tracks from KPop Demon Hunters.
> Your advertisement of the show showed K Pop Deamon Hunter like characters & nothing else
>
> No indication it would be other ‘K Pop acts’
>
> Misleading marketing & expensive tickets
>
> Thankfully mine werent but I seen kids dressed up in Deamonhunter outfits in tears
>
> Suppose its ok tho
>
> — Dan Murphy (@DJMurph79322365) February 20, 2026
> absolutely shite, people were leaving, thousands of kids standing there waiting for kpop demon Hunters songs, felt sorry for kids they were like ornaments through most of it, @aikenpromotions @3ArenaDublin needs to sort this out before other shows happen because kids are upset!
>
> — LauraM (@LauraMu26036754) February 20, 2026
> It was a cheap cash in, you knew this when you booked it but decided to scam families anyway
>
> — Paddy (@Its_l0gical) February 20, 2026
> For kids! The singers were half naked. Don’t care any other time when I go to an adult concert but when you’re marketing something for young children this is wrong. Take some accountability SSE this whole show was an absolutely shambles from start to finish
>
> — Antoinette Lavery (@Antoinette15790) February 19, 2026
> As a kpop fan, I’m laughing so hard at all the complaints about kpop forever tribute. Never once was this marketed as a demon hunters tribute. Belfast mammies about to learn that kpop and kpop demon hunters are not the same thing. 😂 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f602.png] 😂 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f602.png] 😂 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f602.png] 😂 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f602.png]
>
> — Lannie⁷ is seeing BTS
💜 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f49c.png] (@BangtanFOB) February 20, 2026
> I’m genuinely peeing myself laughing at Belfast TikTok today about the “kpop concert” last night 😭 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f62d.png] why’d they think it’d just be kpop demon hunters?? do they genuinely think the entirety of kpop is that film? can no one read?
>
> — aoife 🇮🇪 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f1ee-1f1ea.png]🇵🇸 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f1f5-1f1f8.png] (@aoife_s29) February 20, 2026
> NI TikTok is hilarious this morning with the mums fuming that the ‘KPop tribute act’ concert that they took their kids to wasn’t in fact a solely ‘Demon Hunters’ show. The penny hasn’t dropped with them that KPop is a genre. I despair! #kpop #Odyssey #belfast
>
> — Sinead McIntyre (@McintyreSinead) February 20, 2026
> all the belfast mas not knowing kpop was a genre of music and raging about it is actually sending me into orbit hahahahahahahahahahaha
>
> — ✰ Rusty ✰ (@rvngefrnkk) February 20, 2026
In a statement responding to the complaints, a spokesperson for the venue defended the concert: “We are aware of some feedback received following the ‘K-Pop Forever! Tribute’ show this evening at The SSE Arena, Belfast.
“The show played in Belfast tonight as part of a world tour, and the content, design and choreography has been built to represent the full K-Pop genre, featuring songs from BTS
, BLACKPINK
and KATSEYE
, as well as eight hits from Demon Hunters including ‘Golden’, ’Takedown’ and ‘Soda Pop’.”
They continued: “Whilst the majority of customers enjoyed the show, we understand that this was not what some expected; however, we are content that the show delivered this evening was an arena-standard tribute to the entire K-Pop genre.”
> We are aware of some feedback received following the K-Pop Forever Tribute show this evening at The SSE Arena, Belfast.
>
> The show played in Belfast tonight as part of a world tour, and the content, design and choreography has been built to represent the full K-Pop genre,…
>
> — The SSE Arena, Belfast (@SSEBelfastArena) February 19, 2026
Speaking to BBC News, one ticketholder – who attended along with her six-year-old daughter – said the pair had a “great night”, and shared her surprise at the backlash.
“My expectations weren’t big anyway. I knew what I signed up for,” she commented. “Whenever we bought the tickets, it was never advertised as a KPop Demon Hunters concert… it was K-Pop genre music.”
Responding to some claims that the tribute show wasn’t suitable for young children, she explained that she “didn’t think there was any problem”. She added: “It’s no different to if you went to a Katy Perry concert, if you went to a Beyoncé concert.
“Yes, the girls were wearing wee belly tops or wee bras but they had tops over them, and they had rips in their jeans.”
Further ‘K-Pop Forever! Tribute’ dates are scheduled to take place at the SSE Arena on Monday February 23 and Saturday May 16. General admission tickets are priced at £38.95 on Ticketmaster.
There’ll be more performances across the UK and Europe this year, including a slot at Camp Bestival in Dorset and additional dates in Ireland.
Meanwhile, the stars of KPop Demon Hunters have called for Korean culture to be considered mainstream, rather than being distinguished with a “K” in front of it.
Next week will see EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI – who voice the singing trio HUNTR/X
– perform as part of the BRITs 2026. They are also nominated for International Group at the ceremony. HUNTR/X
are taking to the stage for the BAFTA Film Awards this Sunday (February 22), too.
The newly reunited K-Pop icons BTS
are due to embark on a world tour this year, beginning with a live-streamed performance on Netflix. Their new studio album, ‘ARIRANG’, is out on March 20.
The post Belfast’s SSE Arena responds to complaints and family walkouts over K-Pop tribute show: “There were children crying” appeared first on NME.
Related groups
BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, meaningful lyrics, and strong connection with fans, BTS has become one of the most successful and influential music groups in the world. Their music explores themes such as youth, self-discovery, mental health, love, and personal growth, helping them build a dedicated global fanbase known as ARMY. Since their debut, BTS has achieved record-breaking success across the global music industry with hit songs such as “Dynamite,” “Butter,” “Spring Day,” “Boy With Luv,” and “Fake Love.” The group has earned numerous awards, topped charts in multiple countries, sold millions of albums, and helped introduce K-pop to a broader international audience. Through their artistry, cultural impact, and worldwide influence, BTS continues to inspire fans and shape the future of global pop music.
BLACKPINK is one of the most influential K-pop girl groups in the world, known for their powerful performances, global chart success, and distinctive blend of pop, hip-hop, EDM, and rap. Formed by YG Entertainment, the group consists of Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa. Since their debut in 2016, BLACKPINK has achieved numerous milestones, including record-breaking music videos, sold-out world tours, and collaborations with internationally recognized artists. With a dedicated global fanbase known as BLINK, BLACKPINK continues to shape the modern K-pop industry through their music, fashion influence, and worldwide cultural impact. The group has earned recognition for hit songs such as “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” “How You Like That,” “Pink Venom,” and “Shut Down,” while establishing themselves as one of the most successful and recognizable Korean music acts of all time!
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