With the rapid spread of COVID-19, the government has implemented “level 2.5” of social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area from August 30. As the situation became more serious, various schedules in the entertainment industry were naturally reduced or postponed. From enlistment and marriage to movie releases, we look back on how the entertainment industry is responding to COVID-19.
Kang So Ra, Ryu Deok Hwan, and Changmin Either Postpones or Chooses Small Wedding
Kang So Ra, who made headlines with her surprise wedding news, tied the know with her non-celebrity boyfriend on August 29. The wedding was canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and replaced with a “wedding meal” with immediate family members. Ryu Deok Hwan, who is marrying his girlfriend he dated for 7 years, postponed his fall wedding to next year, and TVXQ’s Changmin also decided to postpone the wedding, which was scheduled on September 5.
Park Bo Gum to Join the Navy Privately
Park Bo Gum is joining the Navy today (August 31). However, after considering the current COVID-19 situations, his enlistment will be kept private. The actor’s agency Blossom Entertainment once again requested fans to not visit the scene, saying, “This is a time when social distancing is mandatory and consideration for everyone’s health is needed.”
Space Sweepers and Pawn Postpones Their Release
The theater has faced another crisis. The industry seemed to have regained its vitality with the back-to-back success of Peninsula, Steel Rain 2: Summit, and Deliver Us From Evil, but with the re-surge of COVID-19, the number of moviegoers has decreased significantly. As a result, Space Sweepers and Pawn, scheduled to be released in September, postponed their release.
Networks Are “Canceling,” Music Industry Is “Being Careful”
Showcases and press conferences, which had been replaced with online streaming, are being canceled one after another due to the aftermath of the re-surge of COVID-19. tvN’s Record of Youth, OCN’s Missing: The Other Side, and KBS’s The Zombie Detective canceled their press conferences altogether. On the other hand, the music industry is sticking to the online method. However, since only less than 50 people can gather in one place, only a minimum number of people, including hair, makeup, stylists, and performance-related staff, can enter the scene.
Shin Se Kyung Receives Favorable Responses When She Tries to Get Rid of Ads from Her YouTube Video
Shin Se Kyung drew keen attention when she tried to get rid of ads from her YouTube videos. When ads were inserted to her video (posted on August 23), Shin Se Kyung left a comment, asking, “I didn’t set up for ads to appear. I want to get rid of them, so can someone please tell me how.” In contrast to the recent controversy over some celebrities taking money in exchange for undeclared product placements in their YouTube channels, Shin Se Kyung’s cute question received favorable responses from fans.
