KPop World: Coronavirus "Lockdown" Takes Heavy Toll on KPop

The Coronavirus pandemic has shaking various businesses in the world. Including the KPop World of South Korean music entertainment industry. This global disaster has had a significant impact on the continuation of the music entertainment business.

It is starting from the strict policy from the South Korean government that limiting public events, which involve a big mass. Most of the Kpop agencies canceled all schedules of their artists, like concert tours, shows, promotion, and fan meetings throughout Asia, North America, and Europe.

The agencies have to do this for the health and safety of their artists, crews, and fans. The canceled and postponed shows are without further notice of new dates because of the pandemic spread concern.

Because of the cancellation and postpones of events, the agencies must brace themselves for a significant loss in the first quarter of the year. It is not the first time for entertainment businesses in South Korea to lose great money and profit.

In 2016, China put Kpop on a blacklist as an economic retaliation to South Korea for permitting US missile defense system THAAD establishment in Seoul. Therefore, to recover the market and profit loss, the South Korean music industry should spread its wings to other countries replacing the Chinese market.

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More KPop Shows Are Canceled

Since there is an uncertainty threat of coronavirus, many KPop events are postponed and canceled. Those are The Korea Times Music Festival, which is an annual musical festival, that scheduled on April 25 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

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Then the most exciting event these past few years is Coachella. Unfortunately, it is postponed until October this year. The Kpop idol who will perform is Big Bang.

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How The KPop World Stay Alive Today?

Due to uncertain times when it does precisely the coronavirus ends, South Korea’s music industry must remain to exist for the KPop continuity. Here are the activities that keep KPop alive during the pandemic outbreak.

Live Show Without The Audience.

KPop World: Coronavirus "Lockdown" Takes Heavy Toll on KPop — BTS album press conference from empty hall. Source: sbs.co.kr

During the coronavirus lockdown, some agencies have made a live show without the audience. Like, BTS held their comeback press conference by live-streamed the Q&A session via YouTube.

Weekly music shows that invite many Kpop idols like KBS’ “Music Bank” and SBS’ “Inkigayo” was done without present audiences in the venue. LOONA made a comeback single “So What” promotion by a live show on M Countdown with no audience.

KPop World is Full with Idols’ Merchandise & Photobook

To keep the Kpop world businesses running during the lockdown, the agencies have to be more creative to keep the Kpop fans updated with their idols’ news. Some agencies announce their artists’ merchandise and photobook. Like Lisa Blackpink with her photobook “0327” that released precisely on her birthday, March 27.

Blackpink also released Blackpink’s 2020 Welcoming Collection that filled with Blackpink’s merchandise such as desk calendar, photo book, random photo card, random folded poster, diary, and many more. At least Blackpink’s 2020 Welcoming Collection can cheer the BLINKs that longing for Blackpink’s comeback that postponed without further notice.

Then, Twice Tzuyu’s pre-order photo book, “Yes, I am Tzuyu,” that just announced after she was back from her hometown in Tainan, Taiwan. The book will release on April 27.

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