On November 16^th INFINITE concluded the U.S. leg of the One Great Step Tour with a performance at Manhattan's Hammerstein Ballroom. While the group itself performed for a solid three hours, a main focus of the concert became unruly fans and an inadequate level of security. While there were very few instances of complaints or injury at their Los Angeles, San Jose, and Maryland shows, the performance in New York City is a prime example of how a mob mentality amongst fans can present a situation that is dangerous. As more K-Pop concerts are staged outside of Korea, there are repeated examples of dissatisfaction amongst audiences due to fan behavior, complications with the venue, or disagreements between organizers.

The INFINITE concert on November 16^th was an event where there was a presence of what is commonly known as sasaeng fans. Although, sasaeng fans are most commonly known for stalking idols and extreme behavior such as self injury, there have been repeated instances of such fans creating disturbances at concerts or music chart show tapings. In August 2013, the level of violence and extreme measures of EXO fans caused them to be completely banned from attending tapings of the program Inkigayo.

These sasaeng fans combined with individuals who had spent hours outside prior to the concert. The venue had repeatedly dispersed fans who had attempted to line up as early as two nights before the concert for General Admission. Concertgoers were instructed that lines would be unable to form until 3PM. However, by the time 3PM on November 16^th arrived, hundreds were already on a formed line. This unfortunately set the tone that was going to last for the rest of the night.

General Admission ticketing has been utilized frequently during K-Pop performances in the United States. With General Admission, the placement an audience member has to the concert stage depends on how early they arrive for the line up. In the case of this concert, there were no numbers distributed to determine who arrived first. Fans paid upwards of a $180 per ticket for early entry only to have a view that was obstructed by those who paid almost half of the price. There was no dividing line or security on the actual General Admission floor at the time of entrance to control who was early entry once the other fans were allowed on. Hammerstein Ballroom was initially constructed in 1906 to house operas, then subsequently big band performances. While the large floor space was well suited for ballroom dancing, it can be incredibly dangerous for concerts.

By the time INFINITE began to perform, the entire crowd on the General Admission floor began to push forward. Those who remained on the sides of the crowd remained fortunate while fans within the middle continued to push forward. At this point, there was a security guard posted in front on the stage and two on the sides to control hundreds of people in the audience. Those fans who had waited the longest amount of time and were in the front line became prime targets for sasaengs who began to pull, kick, and hit other fans to jostle for prime space. Many fans began to run towards the side of the crowd for safety, while those who were injured or overcome by the crowd had to be pulled out.

Fans who were in the front lines began to yell for help and were most quickly assisted by parents and older fans who assisted. At this time, instances of fighting continued, phones were ripped from the hands of fans, and audience members lost their personal belongings. The violence approached the severity that INFINITE stopped performing and asked audiences to remain calm and be nice to one another. Audiences in balcony seats watched in horror as those below continued to be harmed. Ultimately 144 people reported injuries and there is now a class action lawsuit being formed.

What is most important to sasaeng fans are the bands or idols, themselves, regardless of the consequences to others. While the concert was attended by a wide representation of age groups and variety of fans, it became apparent that some fans attended the show with the intent to hurt those who stood in the way of them seeing their bias. In a combination of mob mentality and diffusion of responsibility, some audience members who were not responsible for the acts of violence continued to take photos or video while refusing to help others and often literally stepping on others to get a better view.

The combination of lax security, inadequate instructions for the expectations at the concert, and the behavior of unruly fans created a situation that could have led to fatalities and ruined the concert experience not only for fans, but mostly likely, INFINITE. While it is true that New York City has hosted fewer K-Pop concerts than Los Angeles, that reason alone is unacceptable for the behavior exhibited by concertgoers. Venues have the responsibility to make concerts a safe and fun experience, not one where attendees are fearful for not only their safety, but for those around them. Until venues and organizers can agree upon stricter safety standards and guidelines for K-Pop concerts, this will not be the last time audiences will leave dissatisfied.

Other audience goers have also said that the situation was overplayed and that it was much calmer than people are making it out to be.  But, regardless of how calm others perceive it, 144 injuries in one concert is not a good statistic. Yes, injuries happen at any concert, but only a handful and very minor ones.  So, once major injuries like cracked ribs, long gashes, personal belongings being ripped away begin to happen, then it cannot be thought of as an exaggeration.  K-pop concerts should be a positive experience, and even just one injury can turn off fans and audience goers from the industry altogether.  In the end, everyone is hurt.