Lee Sang-jun's Tokyo show canceled 3 weeks out, a month after LA controversy

Comedian Lee Sang-jun's Tokyo show has been canceled just three weeks before it was set to take place.

The organizers of "Lee Sang-jun Show" announced Tuesday that the "2026 Lee Sang-jun Show 45 World Tour in Tokyo," scheduled for Sept. 21 at Hitotsubashi Hall in Tokyo's Japan Education Hall, would not go ahead.

"Due to unavoidable circumstances, we have had to cancel the performance," the organizers said. "We sincerely apologize for delivering such sudden news to everyone who had been eagerly looking forward to the show."

They added that details on ticket refunds would be communicated as soon as they were finalized. No reason for the cancellation was given.

Lee has been on a stand-up comedy world tour that began in Chuncheon in July. Last month, he performed in the United States and Canada.

His Aug. 2 (local time) show in Los Angeles, which drew an audience of 1,700, prompted a wave of complaints over a delayed start, poor sound quality and a short running time.

Lee subsequently apologized, saying he had learned after the show that some audience members had felt uncomfortable during the performance. "You came to have a good laugh, and I am so sorry. I am sorry again and again," he said.

When criticism emerged that visiting a baseball stadium the day before the show reflected a lack of preparation, Lee said the outing was part of his effort to find material he could connect with local audiences on.

He added that ahead of his New York show in April, he had also toured Central Park and other local landmarks in search of stories to use in his performance.

Meanwhile, Lee is set to continue a domestic tour through November before heading to Australia for shows in December. He will close out the year with finale performances in Seoul on Dec. 25 and 26.