Touring and COVID: Putting People At Risk
South Korea’s Covid-19 infection numbers are on the increase, this time K-pop idols aren’t being spared
Individuals and entire K-pop groups have tested positive for the virus, affecting both concerts and promotions
It's been over two years since COVID-19 put the world on lockdown and caused a shift in the way everyone interacted with each other. It affected day-to-day life and the way we enjoyed our entertainment, especially K-pop. Honestly, we all have been waiting to get back to our everyday lives. But with COVID-19 still lingering worldwide, some events are still up in the air. Concerts, in particular, have been a thing of the past for many of us.
Some fans find solace in virtual concerts or live streams. But not everyone has access to these technologies, and in a pandemic where connecting with others is so important, we all want to experience something together.
Many people who don't attend concerts often wonder why they're still such a big deal—after all, aren't they just watching people sing and dance on stage? It's the same thing they might see on TV or Youtube!
But concert-goers know better. They know that attending a live performance is one of the most magical experiences available to humankind. There are no words to describe the epic energy that exists in the room when an artist is performing live! The connection and excitement shared between fan and artist are undeniably unique. There are also no screens or TVs to separate you from the group or artist you love.
And we are finally getting the chance to get back to enjoying those magical experiences, but is it worth it? This is a double-edged sword for me because, on the one hand, I am excited to see my favorite groups in action again. Be a part of something bigger than myself with fans who love the group and music as much as I do. On the other hand, are we putting ourselves and these artists at risk by starting these performances too soon?
Now don't let me sound like a spoiled sport; I love going to these events as much as the next person. But there have been many cases where concerts have been postponed, rescheduled, or canceled at the last minute, which isn't fair to anyone involved. The fans who are spending a lot of money getting to these events only to get them canceled and not get refunded for travel, hotels, or anything they needed to plan to be there for that day. That doesn't even include people who need to take off work and now can't go to the rescheduled concert. But we cannot blame anyone for poor planning because getting sick is never in the plans. Since groups are now going back out and doing promotions the chances of them getting exposed to covid is getting higher. Since they are always working together in close quarters, once one get’s sick it’s easier to spread it to the rest. It ends up pushing back promotions, concerts, and events. It causes a ripple effect that affects everyone around them.
Then we have the artist and fans who are getting exposed to many people who may or may not have covid. Since concerts have come back, it has been acknowledged that people have been lying about not having covid and still going to the shows. They will borrow someone else's test or vaccination card to be able to get into the venue. Now not only are they putting their fellow fans at risk who have followed the rules, but they are also putting their favorite artists at risk. Lying about having covid is something that shouldn't be played with. Even if it's not affecting you badly, you never know how it may affect someone else. These safety rules are put in place for a reason, and it could cost someone their life if not taken seriously.
This brings me back to the original question, are we going back to these concerts too soon? Should we wait and see if things slow down next year, or do we think this is our new normal?
