Korean Entertainment Industry Postpones Events After Seoul Crowd Tragedy – Deadline
South KoreaThe entertainment industry has postponed several events in the wake of a tragic stampede that killed more than 150 people in Seoul’s Itaewon district on Saturday night. A week of mourning has been declared in the country.
Among the dead is a 24-year-old actor Lee Ji Han who rose to fame as a contestant on the Mnet audition show, Production 101. His agency, 935 Entertainment, wrote on Instagram that he “became a star in the sky and left us,” although that did not directly refer to the events of Saturday night. A representative told XsportsNews, “It is true that Lee Ji Han died in an accident in Itaewon on the 29th,” according to a translation by Korean pop culture website Soompi.
He was an actor according to reports is set to appear in upcoming MBC dramas The season Kkokdu and finished shooting his scenes in September. His other credits include web series Today was another Nam Hyung day.
In general, the local industry is in a state of turmoil after the tragedy. According to local reports, broadcasters are skipping entertainment programs this week. According to Korea JoongAng Daily, schedules are likely to remain unresolved until the end of the mourning period.
The Korea Times says the production team of the upcoming film Plastic peoplestarring Ma Dong Seok (a.k.a Don Lee), postponed her press conference, and the actors from Confessionwhich released last weekendcanceled the guest event.
Big Hit Music also announced planned promotions for BTS The release of star Gene’s debut single ‘The Astronaut’ has been delayed. The lyric video was supposed to be released today, and Big Hit said they will now set a later date.
YG Entertainment, which represents artists such as Blackpink, is also temporarily delaying the promotion schedule and content release for its performances.
JoongAng Daily it is further reported that the Korea Music Content Association has announced that it will postpone its “Breaking the World with Music” festival that was scheduled to take place in Busan on Thursday and Friday. Other canceled events include K-pop concert at Busan One Asia Festival and Peakbox 22-03.
Amusement parks and department stores also suspended activities for Halloween.
On Saturday night, 154 people were killed and at least 103 others injured in a stampede in a narrow alley in Seoul’s nightlife district of Itaewon, as thousands of people visited the area for Halloween. The New York Times reports that more than 100 of those killed were in their 20s.
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis was among those who paid tribute to the lives lost:
https://deadline.com/2022/10/korea-entertainment-industry-delays-seoul-crowd-tragedy-lee-ji-han-1235158842/
