Asia News: Dragon Dancing, COVID Restrictions, BTS Meal At McDonald’s

Six artists managed by Live Nation’s electronic music management company, Dragon Dancing, were cited by China’s DJ Mag Awards, including Carta for DJ of the Year; Chace and Terry Zhong, first and second, respectively, for Producers of the Year; Yako, third place for Alternative DJ of the Year; and Chinese Bounce Mafia and Beauz, first and second, respectively, for DJ Group of the Year. 

In a statement, Jim Wong, managing director of Live Nation Electronic Asia, said, “Congrats to Carta, Chace, Chinese Bounce Mafia, Beauz, Terry Zhong and Yako, and our team at Dancing Dragon Management for scooping up these prestigious DJ Mag Awards. Since we signed oue first artists Carta and Yako in 2019, we have been committed to bringing Chinese DJs to the global stage. The awards are recognition for everyone’s hard work and a celebration of Chinese electronic music. There is a huge fan demand for Chinese electronic music and we will continue to contribute to the growth of this community across Asia and the world.”

Live Nation established Live Nation Electronic Asia in 2017 and Dancing Dragon in 2019. The team plans to launch a new festival called Arize this year, which will take place in Chengdu, Xiamen, Shenzhen and Shanghai starting in August.

Starting June 14, restrictions were lifted on audience numbers for indoor sporting events and performances in South Korea. 

Most significantly, crowds of up to 4,000 people will be allowed to attend K-pop concerts, whether they are held indoors or outdoors. Previously, the limit was 100 people. However, attendees will still be required to wear masks and are prohibited from eating, drinking and shouting during performances. In addition, attendees must remain in or standing at their reserved seats. For baseball and soccer games, the limit will be increased from 10 percent of a venue’s capacity to 30 percent and, in the cases of some cities, up to 50 percent. 

It is the first time that audience restrictions have been changed for pop concerts and sporting events since restrictions went into effect more than a year ago. In addition, the South Korean government has removed the quarantine requirement for some visitors from abroad who can prove they have been fully vaccinated. South Korea is now looking at the possibility of starting “travel bubbles” with some countries and territories in order to allow air travel between South Korea and these areas for business and tourism purposes without quarantine requirements at either end. As of June 13 about 23 percent of South Korea’s population has received at least on vaccination. 

As a result, hundreds of motorcycle delivery persons showed up at outlets throughout the country, jamming the stores, which were unprepared. In Jakarta alone, police closed 32 McDonald’s outlets due to health protocol violations. Because of the pandemic most restaurants were restricted to 50 percent customer capacity. Online message groups commiserated with the put-upon delivery drivers and urged users to tip them accordingly. There was even a crowdfunding site established to help drivers and their families. 

It’s not as if such a reaction wasn’t expected, especially in Asia. The Times reports that the BTS Meal introduction was delayed in Singapore after the government fortified distancing rules and banned dining in restaurants. 

One of the most successful Japanese pop composers of the past century, Asei Kobayashi, died in Tokyo on May 30 at the age of 88. According to Jiji Press, the cause of death was heart failure. 

Kobayashi made his greatest impact in the realm of advertising jingles, many of which went on to be come chart hits. He started his career in 1961 with a jingle for apparel maker Renown. Perhaps his biggest legitimate chart hit was the enka (traditional Japanese ballad) song, “Kita no Yado Kara,” which he wrote for popular singer Harumi Miyako in 1976.

He was also famous for writing theme songs for television anime series, such as “Sally the Witch” and “Ken the Wolf Boy.” One song, “Pin Pon Pan Taiso,” a kind of exercise ditty he wrote for a children’s show in 1972, sold more than two million copies. 

Though the Tokyo Olympics is definitely taking place, much controversy remains over how serious the authorities should address the Games in light of the Japanese capital’s ongoing pandemic. The number of infections has gradually decreased in recent weeks and the vaccination rate has accelerated appreciably, but there is still strong sentiment among Japanese people against holding the Olympics.

As a result, the government is thinking about placing Tokyo under a “quasi-state of emergency” during the Olympics, since many health experts are predicting a spike of infections triggered by an influx of people into the capital. In particular, experts are worried about an increase in the Delta variant of the virus, which has become more prevalent in the country. Under the quasi-state of emergency, restaurants and bars will be asked to cut their hours and perhaps even stop serving alcohol. Fines may be levied on those establishments that don’t comply. In addition, the quasi-state of emergency will allow local governments to implement their own restrictions in accordance with what they think is best. 

At the moment, there is still no hard and fast decision regarding overseas visitors. Some media are saying that several members of the government are urging the local organizers to ask the International Olympic Committee to not bring VIPs to the games and for sponsors to cut their guest lists. However, given the enormous amount of money that has already been spent by both the organizing committee and sponsors, it will be difficult to deny them these perks. And while it seems that some local people will be allowed to attend the games as spectators, the numbers have not been determined yet. At the moment, it will likely be the same as that for concerts, which is 50 percent of a venue’s capacity.