Fireworks at Gangnam Style singer Psy's concert disrupt baseball match in Busan; players struggle to see

Gangnam Style singer Psy. Pic via YouTube

South Korean singer Psy's famous concert spectacle caused an unexpected interruption at a professional baseball game in Busan. The singer, whose Summer Swag tour is known for its water cannons, fireworks and high-energy production, accidentally turned a nearby KBO League match into a front-row view of his show on Saturday.

Psy fireworks halt baseball game

The incident occurred during a game between the NC Dinos and Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium. The venue is roughly a 10-minute walk from Busan Asiad Main Stadium, where Psy was performing. As fireworks were set off during the concert, smoke drifted towards the baseball ground and gradually became thick enough to affect visibility.

According to Hindustan Times, the fireworks display continued for around 10 minutes before the smoke became a problem for the players. The umpires eventually stopped the game at approximately 8.42 pm during the bottom of the sixth inning.

The haze reportedly made it difficult for players to track fly balls, forcing officials to prioritise safety and visibility. Play finally resumed at 9.01 pm, resulting in a 19-minute interruption.

For the Gangnam Style singer, whose concerts are built around spectacular visual effects, the incident is hardly the first time his Busan shows have crossed paths with baseball. A similar situation occurred on August 16 last year when a Lotte Giants-Samsung Lions game at Sajik was interrupted after fireworks smoke from a nearby Psy concert drifted onto the field.

Interestingly, other major concerts held at the Asiad Main Stadium have not reportedly caused similar disruptions. BTS performed there as part of its Arirang world tour in June, while the Busan One Asia Festival was also held at the venue later that month.

Summer Swag's water controversy

Psy's Summer Swag concerts have become a summer tradition in South Korea since the tour series began in 2011. The shows combine music with elaborate choreography, fireworks and huge quantities of water sprayed over the audience through water cannons.

However, the water-heavy concerts have also attracted criticism. In 2022, Psy revealed that each show used approximately 300 tonnes of water, drawing backlash as South Korea was experiencing drought conditions at the time.
Despite the controversies, Summer Swag remains one of Psy's biggest live attractions, with fans turning up for its combination of music and spectacle.

This time, though, the spectacle extended beyond the concert crowd, with a baseball game temporarily brought to a standstill by the smoke from Psy's fireworks.