S Korean boyband BTS cancels October concert
SEOUL: K-Pop boyband BTS cancelled yesterday a concert set for October in Seoul as authorities battle a stream of new coronavirus infections, imposing tougher curbs ahead of a surge in travel during a key autumn holiday.
This month, BTS became the first Korean pop act to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles charts in the United States, with Dynamite, its first single entirely in English.
The group’s first concert since the outbreak had been scheduled for Oct 10 and 11, to be attended by a limited audience observing social distancing norms, its music label, Big Hit Entertainment, said. Now it is to be livestreamed online instead.
“We have been planning the inperson component of our concert in order to try to create an opportunity for our artists and fans to meet, despite the challenges created by Covid-19,” Big Hit said in a statement.
“We would like to apologise to all fans who have been looking forward to an in-person concert.”
Officials flagged the risks of new infection clusters as they ordered tighter restrictions for the weeks of the Chuseok holiday that starts on Monday, when people traditionally reunite with families.
On Wednesday, BTS delivered a “message of hope” in a pre-recorded video posted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef ) as part of the 75th UN General Assembly.
The group of seven is at the forefront of South Korean pop music, winning converts to K-Pop worldwide since its 2013 debut.