From Cleaner to Concert Director : Interview with YGE's Touring Director

2013 Feb 20 article.
Jung Chi-young, currently (2024) YG Entertainment’s Concert Planning Director, started his career from the humblest beginnings. At 20 years old, while still a freshman in college, Jung took a part-time job at a local youth festival in Pyeongtaek, where he found himself captivated by the energy and passion of event planning. What began as a small part-time job running errands would spark a lifelong journey in the entertainment industry.

In June 1993, Jung’s perspective on life changed dramatically. “The passion and emptiness I felt while preparing the festival were so captivating to me,” he recalls. “I felt a profound sense of regret when told to dismantle a stage made over a week in just two hours. I wanted to keep going. I dropped out of school and immersed myself in work.” This profound experience led him to leave college and dive headfirst into the world of event planning.

Jung started at a small event company, performing menial tasks, including cleaning. He was determined to learn every aspect of the business, from the ground up. His perseverance and willingness to tackle even the most mundane jobs laid a strong foundation for his future success.

After gaining hands-on experience, Jung moved to an advertising agency in 1999, where he continued to hone his skills. Over the next few years, he planned and directed a variety of events, from Nike basketball tournaments to beach festivals. His versatility and creativity did not go unnoticed, and he soon earned a reputation as an ‘idea bank.’

Despite his growing success, Jung faced significant obstacles. The conservative industry placed a high value on academic credentials, which Jung lacked due to his decision to leave college. His first major setback came when a promising job offer from a leading advertising agency fell through because he hadn’t completed his degree. “I was making gradual progress toward my goals, but at that time, dropping out of college was a stumbling block. I felt a sense of despair, wondering if this was the end for me,” Jung recounts.

However, this challenge became a turning point. Determined to prove his worth through his skills and creativity, Jung shifted his focus to the entertainment industry. Park Kyung-jin, the CEO of the then one-person agency M-boat, recognized Jung’s potential and persistently invited him to join his team. Despite the risks involved in leaving a stable job, Jung took the leap. “It was a huge risk. I was only able to make the move when I threw myself into it,” he says.

At M-boat, Jung worked with artists like Wheesung and eventually caught the attention of Yang Hyunsuk, the founder of YG Entertainment. His transition to YG marked the beginning of a new era in his career. He oversaw performances for K-pop icons such as Big Bang, 2NE1, and later, G-Dragon.

Jung’s meticulous planning and innovative approach transformed YG concerts into world-class spectacles. He was instrumental in introducing advanced technologies like the time code system, which synchronizes music, video, and lighting to 0.1-second intervals, and the Hippotizer system, used to create optimal 3D visuals from 2D footage. These technologies, previously seen only in major international events, set YG performances apart.

“Having the equipment alone doesn’t guarantee the quality of a performance. The problem with the Korean performance industry is that while investing in video equipment, they neglect the content,” Jung notes. He ensured that every image and piece of content for Big Bang and 2NE1 concerts was custom-created to match the concert’s concept.

Jung’s dedication to excellence paid off. His strategic decisions, such as leading Big Bang’s concerts in Japan and the US with his own team, helped elevate the group from arenas to dome tours, cementing their global success. “Big Bang and 2NE1 are Korean artists. Overseas fans like seeing them active in Korea. We decided it was important to show Big Bang as they are, not as a Japanese or American version. This judgment proved correct,” he explains.

Reflecting on his journey from cleaning duties to directing world tours, Jung emphasizes the importance of perseverance and a commitment to quality. “I’ve worked with the mindset that if the audience feels their money is wasted, there won’t be a next time. Thankfully, Yang Hyun-suk fully agrees with this mindset,” he says.

As he prepares for G-Dragon’s upcoming world tour, Jung is determined not to rest on past successes. “Starting from March, G-Dragon's world tour will introduce new plans that go beyond the successes of Big Bang and 2NE1. We will build the YG performance brand and move forward globally,” he concludes.

Jung Chi-young’s journey from a small event company’s cleaning staff to a key player in global K-pop success is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. His story is an inspiration to those who start from humble beginnings, proving that with passion and hard work, even the loftiest dreams are achievable.