K-Pop Industry Cancellates Events and Postpones Concerts to Honor Victims of Jeju Air Crash

As a national period of mourning was declared following the Jeju Air plane crash at Muan International Airport on December 29, the K-pop industry has shown its respect by canceling year-end events and delaying musical activities. The Jeju Air aircraft crashed during landing at Muan Airport while carrying 181 people, with only two crew members surviving. South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, declared a seven-day national period of mourning lasting until midnight on January 5. KBS canceled the “2025 Countdown Show LIGHT NOW” that was scheduled to take place at Seoul’s Myeongdong Square on the 31st. MBC also decided to cancel the Entertainment Awards held on the 29th and replace it with a recorded broadcast for the Awards ceremony scheduled for the 30th. Year-end concerts followed suit and were canceled as well. The “SeoulCon X World K-Pop Festival Countdown,” organized by S.COUPS and set to feature popular artists such as Dynamic Duo and Zico at the DDP Art Hall, was called off. The “Jeju Myth World Countdown 2025” concert at Jeju Myth World, which was supposed to include performers like Jaurim, Akdong Musician, and Imujin, was also canceled. Singers Tae, Lee Seung-hwan, and Kim Jang-hoon also announced the cancellation of their scheduled concerts. K-pop groups have likewise postponed their promotion schedules. IVE decided to delay releasing promotional content for its third mini-album, “IVE EMPATHY,” set for release on February 3 next year. SEVENTEEN’s sub-unit “BuSeokSun” postponed the release of official photos for its second single, “TELEPARTY,” while LE SSERAFIM’s Huh Yun-jin delayed the release of her single “Jellyfish.” Stray Kids also halted the release of new tracks under their “SONG By” project. The entertainment industry continued to show its condolences. Singer G-Dragon posted an image of white flowers on a black background on his social media to comfort the victims and their families. Actress Go So-young shared a photo of chrysanthemums, while actress Kim Hye-soo posted her own message of remembrance. SEVENTEEN’s Leader S.Coups wrote on Instagram, “I extend my deepest condolences to the victims affected by the accident and their families.” BLACKPINK member Lisa announced the postponement of a scheduled live broadcast, saying, “I send my deepest condolences to all families and friends affected by the tragedy that occurred in South Korea yesterday.” Singer Im Young-woong said during a concert on the 29th, “Upon hearing the news that precious lives were lost in the plane crash, I feel deep sorrow and want to express my sincere sympathy to the victims and their families.” The four K-pop groups—ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and TWICE—that performed at the 75th Hongbaek Gahapjeon held at NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, all wore black ribbons on their left chests as they took the stage. Most of them were dressed in white, with the black ribbons appearing to symbolize respect for the victims of the Jeju Air crash. NewJeans also wore black ribbons as a sign of remembrance during their appearance at Japan’s “Japan Record Awards” the previous day. Religious groups likewise expressed their sorrow. Jinu, the head of the Korean Buddhist Joint General Association, said, “I earnestly pray for the victims to be reborn in the Land of Pure Abundance and extend my deepest comfort to their families.” The Korean Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a message stating, “We fervently hope that the merciful God will embrace the souls of the victims and soothe the pain and sorrow of their families.”