Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung, 62, who has been away from the stage for six years, recently kicked off a 9-show “60+” World Tour concert at the Taipei Arena. However, due to contracting Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), he was unable to speak properly, leading to the sudden cancellation of the scheduled 4th, 5th, and 6th shows slated for the 7th, 8th, and 9th. Taiwanese writer Xie Zhichao pointed out on Facebook that with the concert cancellations, “scalpers may become the biggest winners.”
Jacky Cheung confirmed on the 7th that he would indeed be canceling the shows on the 7th, 8th, and 9th due to his RSV infection. He expressed his disappointment, stating that despite hoping for a miracle to wake up and be able to rehearse and perform as usual, his sore throat and inability to speak normally forced him to make the difficult decision to cancel the concerts, for which he apologized to ticket-holders and the organizers. The news sparked chaos among his fans.
Having previously canceled three shows in Shanghai due to ill health, Jacky Cheung faced a similar situation in Taipei this week. The ticket refund process for the three canceled concerts this week in Taipei was addressed by the concert organizer, Super Dome, stating that ticketholders for the 7th to 9th shows could opt to exchange their tickets for the “60+” Taipei concert in 2025 at the same price. Additionally, attendees holding tickets for the June 7th concert with approved refund requests could apply for compensation for transportation and accommodation expenses.
Upon learning of the news, Xie Zhichao emphasized on Facebook that with the cancellation of the concert, “scalpers may become the biggest winners.” He added in the comments, “If tickets are refunded to the order account, scalpers will truly profit, and those who bought scalped tickets will suffer losses. This story tells us not to buy scalped tickets, as doing so means losing any guarantees from the organizers.”
Xie Zhichao further commented, “Buying scalped tickets fuels the scalping industry, just like how someone filming and distributing unauthorized content leads others to seek and purchase it. I hope everyone understands this logic.”
Many netizens agreed with the sentiment, commenting, “If tickets are refunded to the order account, scalpers will truly profit. This is a good way to discourage buying scalped tickets,” “Once again, it proves never to buy scalped tickets,” and “Scalpers will profit until they cry.” Some expressed frustration, saying, “The despicable scalpers selling scalped tickets and fostering the scalping culture are pitiful for regular folks trying to buy tickets.”
Jacky Cheung’s first show of the “60+” World Tour concert in Taipei on May 31st was a moving experience amidst the screams of his fans. It marked his return to the Taipei Arena after six years, where he started the show energetically with several upbeat songs, at one point even standing on the front of a vintage car singing and dancing enthusiastically. He later ascended to the stage top to introduce the band members, showcasing his dedication and passion for the performance. At one point during the show, he reassured the audience about his health, demonstrated a split-leg pose, and playfuly quipped, “I could do it before, and I can still do it now.”
Unfortunately, after Cheung’s performance in Hong Kong last week, he began feeling unwell, leading to diagnosis and confirmation of RSV infection. Doctors have assessed that an RSV infection can severely impact lung capacity, indicating that a recovery period of about a month may be needed before Cheung can consider returning to the stage. Fans remain eagerly awaiting updates on whether the three upcoming concerts on June 14th to 16th will proceed as planned.