K-pop star Kang Daniel faced a series of dramatic setbacks during the final shows of his Act: New Episode tour in the United States, including a robbery that resulted in the theft of nearly $60,000 worth of essential equipment and the last-minute cancelation of another concert. Despite these challenges, the singer reassured fans and pushed forward with his performances, earning widespread praise for his professionalism .
The troubles began in early September 2025 when Kang Daniel’s North American tour was hit by operational issues, leading to one cancelation and culminating in a theft that forced his team to buy replacement stage outfits from a local mall just hours before the final show .
What happened in San Jose?
On September 22, 2025, while Kang Daniel’s staff were driving from Los Angeles to San Jose for the final U.S. tour stop, a vehicle carrying crucial supplies was broken into . The thieves stole stage wear, styling kits, hair and makeup tools, and official tour merchandise. The total value of the stolen goods was reported to be nearly $60,000 .
The singer addressed the incident directly on social media on September 23 KST, posting a photo with a thumbs-up to reassure concerned fans. He wrote:
“We got all our stuff stolen—outfits, hair and makeup tools, even MD goods. Still, let’s make it a great show. I’m okay.”
To ensure the San Jose concert could proceed as scheduled, staff members quickly purchased replacement items, including stage outfits from H&M . Kang Daniel later joked about the situation, calling himself “H&M Guy” .
New Jersey concert canceled hours before showtime
The robbery was not the first major problem on the tour. Earlier in the month, on September 6, a concert in Jersey City, New Jersey, was canceled abruptly just two hours before the doors were set to open . The venue was already filled with ticket holders when the announcement was made.
Kang Daniel’s agency, Artistic Round Alliance (ARA), stated the cancelation was due to “insufficient local system preparation and operational problems” that made it impossible to proceed with the show safely and to their standards . The agency apologized, saying that moving forward with an incomplete setup “could be a greater insult to fans” .
Kang Daniel, who was already at the venue, personally appeared on stage to apologize to the waiting audience . ARA confirmed that full refunds would be issued automatically to all ticket purchasers .
Fan reactions to the tour setbacks
Fans expressed a mix of emotions online, feeling heartbroken for the artist but inspired by his resilience. Many took to social media to share their support after the robbery news broke .
One fan commented, “Mannn i feel so bad for Daniel. So many unfortunate things happened to him” . Another user on X noted his perseverance, writing, “Despite the setback and not being at 100% physically he put on a great show and was super nice and cheerful… Proud of him and hope he bounces back from all of it” .
The New Jersey cancelation also sparked significant reaction online, with a post on the Korean forum TheQoo gathering over 70,000 views . Some fans argued that a refund was not sufficient compensation for those who had traveled long distances, suggesting the organization should “organize a free show” for affected attendees .
Kang Daniel’s recent challenges
These tour incidents are the latest in a string of professional challenges for Kang Daniel. In 2024, he filed a case with Seoul police against the main shareholder of KONNECT Entertainment, the company he founded in 2019, over a ₩10.0 billion KRW advance deal that he alleged was made without his approval . He is expected to leave the company upon the expiration of his contract .
Also in 2024, a court fined the blogger known as Sojang ₩10 million for spreading false information about Kang Daniel. In a subsequent civil suit, the court ordered Sojang to pay ₩30 million in damages for harming the singer’s reputation .
Tour continues in Latin America
Despite the difficulties in the U.S., Kang Daniel’s Act: New Episode world tour continues. The North American leg, which began on September 3, included 12 stops in cities such as Washington, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles .
The tour now moves to Latin America, with upcoming performances scheduled in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Mexico City, Mexico . The singer continues to promote his latest single, ‘No Day’, released earlier in September .
