Features
Sewol Cancellations
In the wake of the Sewol ferry tragedy, a number of South Korean entertainers have decided to cancel or postpone entertainment events out of respect for the families of the victims.
Photo: AP Photo / Lee Jin-man
Messages wish the safe return of those still missing in the Sewol ferry sinking.
Lena Park and Yang Hee-eun have put off the release of records due out this week.
Boy bands Infinite and SHINee canceled planned concerts that have already sold out.
Singer Lee Seung Chul was scheduled to kick off his national tour April 19 in Seoul but postponed it until later, despite many of the ticketholders being from outside of Korea.
By the same token, several other acts have invited derision from the South Korean media for proceeding with business as usual.
New boy band EXO was lambasted for putting tickets for an upcoming show on sale April 16, the day after the accident.
Nobody seemed surprised, however, when the tickets sold out easily.
Any behavior that implied a celebratory frame of mind came under scrutiny. Liquor companies have pulled advertising and government officials were told to not go golfing or wining-and-dining.
Korean professional baseball games went on as planned, but the Korea Baseball Association said that “applause would be kept to a minimum.”