The cancellation of the inaugural Playground festival is the latest blow in what had been a rocky season for large-scale K-pop events in Singapore. Billed as an immersive K-culture experience, Playground was set to take over Pasir Panjang Power Station on May 3 with a high-profile lineup that included Monsta X’s Joohoney and I.M, Jessi, Gray, Loco, Holybang, and Yungin. The festival promised not just performances, but also Korean street food, Squid Game-inspired challenges, and a “random dance play” segment—an interactive crowd favourite from Korean variety shows.
Organised by local entertainment company +82, founded by Mr Terry Hwayong Lee the festival aimed to go beyond a typical concert. Festival-goers were to enjoy a full K-culture experience with Korean street food, themed games inspired by the hit Netflix series Squid Game, and a “random dance play” segment—a popular fan activity where participants perform spontaneous choreography to hit K-pop songs.
Tickets, priced between $218 and $358, with early-bird general admission at $188, had been on sale since March 2025. Despite the strong lineup and immersive offerings, the event was unexpectedly pulled, without further elaboration—just weeks before showtime. The cancellation has dampened expectations of fans eager for the live return of stars like Jessi and Loco, who previously appeared at Waterbomb Singapore in August 2024, despite offences pertaining to falsification of accounts.
Ticketing partners are expected to issue full refunds, though official refund details have yet to be announced. With growing appetite for K-pop and Korean cultural experiences in Singapore, there are hopes Playground’s concept might return in the future—better prepared to deliver on its vision. Time to ready your polling cards for the elections on the same day.
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