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| ▲This photo shows that event has been canceled at Gokseong Seomjin train village. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, a captured image from EXO's official twitter, shows announcemen regarding the delay of Chen's mini album release.(PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by SM Ent., is a poster of SMTown party, which were canceled. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- Music industry is canceling planned schedules one after another to offer condolences regarding the tragedy that happened in Itaewon on last Saturday.
Fall season is generally known as the "peak season" of album releases and concerts, but K-pop stars are taking breaks without exception and are joining the mourning.
◇ EXO's Chen, Yong Jun-hyung, DRIPPIN delay new albums
EXO member Chen has delayed release of his third mini album "Last Scene," which was planned to be released on Monday.
His agency SM Entertainment announced, "After hearing the news of Itaewon, We made such decision to express our condolences. So we ask for understandings of fans who have been waiting for the album release."
Yong Jun-hyung, who was scheduled to release his first album in three years since leaving the boy group in 2019, has delayed the release of his mini album "LONER."
His agency Blackmade said, "We express our condolences to the victims and their families."
Girl group IRIS and group DRIPPIN also temporarily delayed their new album releases.
Rookie group UNITE is releasing their third mini album following their original plan but canceled the meida showcase.
◇ Concerts cancelled...Some to go on with time of condolence
Concerts have been cancelling one-by-one after the news of Itaewon Stampede.
EDM festival "2022 Strike Music Festival," which had been taking place since Friday at Seoul Olympic stadium, canceled the event on Sunday, the last day of the event.
The event was held with Halloween concept, but the last concert was canceled in order to mourn the tragedy.
The host of the event said, "We will soon refund Sunday tickets to buyers in order."
"PEAKBOX 22-03" concert, which was to happen at Yongsan Art hall Sunday afternoon, was called off.
Trot concerts that were scheduled all over the area in the time of fall season including singer Jang Yoon-jeong's Jinju concert, Youngtak's Andong concert, and Hong Jin-young's Icheon Lotte premium outlet mini concert were canceled.
Some concerts have decided to go on with the plan, but take the time to mourn the tragedy.
Group ATEEZ had a moment of silence in honor of victims of Itaewon tragedy before their 2022 world tour "THE FELLOWSHIP : BREAK THE WALL" concert on Sunday.
Girl group Dreamcatcher held their solo concert like they planed but removed "Halloween" from the concert title.
◇ HYBE·SM ..powerhouse agencies cancel events
Powerhouse agencies leading the K-pop music industry, such as HYBE and SM Entertainment, also delayed or canceled large-scale events and joined the mourning.
SM Ent. canceled Halloween party of their artists, which was planned for Sunday afternoon.
SM Entertainment announced through fan community "Kwangya Club" that "Live broadcast of red carpet will not be happening since "SMTOWN WONDERLAND 2022" event has been canceled. We ask for fans' understandings."
SM Entertainment's annual Halloween party is a famous event in which K-pop stars dress up and pose for the camera. It has been receiving great responses from fans.
HYBE has delayed "HYBE BRIEFING WITH THE COMMUNITY2021," which was planned to be held online on Nov. 4.
HYBE holds company briefing annually to talk about the plans of artists and the vision of the company. While it is an important, the company has postponed the event considering the seriousness of the situation.
BTS' Jin, who released his solo debut album "The Astronaut" on Oct. 28, has also temporarily postponed the release of his promotional videos such as "Station-head Listening Party" and "The Astronaut Lyric video" which were scheduled to be released on Monday.
Korea Music Content Association has delayed K-pop conference "2022 MWN" which were to take place on Nov. 3 to Nov.4.
Official from the association said, "We send our deepest condolences to the victims of Itaewon tragedy and their family members," adding, "Music industry officials who decided to attend, please understand with open minds."
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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