[Magnifier] Year-End Awards Ceremonies and Festivals Gathered in One Place with Quarantine Passes

This image is unrelated to the main text. Photo by KBS

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] As the number of new domestic COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection) cases surpassed 5,000, setting record highs day after day, the government has strengthened quarantine measures once again. This has created a tense atmosphere among broadcasters ahead of year-end performances and award ceremonies.

On the 1st of last month, the government announced that social distancing would be eased in three stages at six-week intervals. According to the first stage of phased daily recovery, events with fewer than 500 people were allowed without restrictions. Accordingly, broadcasters have been planning to hold this year’s year-end grand festivals as in-person events and have been reviewing various options.

It has been one month since the implementation of 'phased daily recovery' (With COVID). According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 2nd, 5,266 new cases were reported, marking a record high. For two consecutive days since the domestic inflow of COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases has remained in the 5,000 range. Although the number dropped to 4,944 on the 3rd, it remains at a similar level.

On the 3rd, the CDSCH announced that the quarantine pass would be expanded from the 6th of this month to the 2nd of next month. The application of the quarantine pass for adolescents will be implemented from February 1st after an approximately eight-week grace period. The quarantine pass is a type of certificate proving either completion of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test, which must be presented to gain entry to performance venues.

Broadcasters, who have been cautiously preparing year-end events, are now in a tense mood. The 'year-end grand festivals,' which had planned in-person events in line with 'With COVID,' are expected to proceed as scheduled while complying with government quarantine guidelines.

This image is unrelated to the text/Photo by MBC

First, the Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA), scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. on the 11th at the CJ ENM Studio Center in Paju, will be an in-person event allowing audience attendance.

All attendees, including the audience, singers, and production staff, must present a negative PCR test result within 48 hours to enter the venue.

An Mnet official stated, "Everyone’s safety is the most important, so we are strictly adhering to quarantine guidelines and striving to hold a safe event."

On the 10th at 6:30 p.m., Lim Young-woong’s KBS year-end special solo show 'We're HERO Lim Young-woong Concert' will be held at Kintex in Goyang. KBS announced early on that only those who have completed vaccination can attend. Therefore, all audience members and staff participating in the performance must present both a COOV vaccination certificate (at least 14 days after vaccination) and a negative PCR test result within 72 hours. The performance will proceed as planned while complying with quarantine guidelines.

A KBS official said, "The same quarantine standards apply to all production staff, performers, and audience members participating in the solo show, and no one can participate without submitting the relevant certificates. The production team is determined to complete the performance with thorough quarantine measures."

Additionally, the KBS2 'Immortal Songs' 2021 King of Kings competition, held at the same venue on the 6th, will also invite an audience for on-site recording. Audience applications have been accepted through the KBS website since the 26th of last month, and similar to Lim Young-woong’s solo show, the recording will be conducted in compliance with government quarantine guidelines targeting vaccinated individuals.

An entertainment industry insider said, "Fans who have managed to secure audience tickets are enthusiastically cheering online and eagerly awaiting the performance day," adding, "Compliance with quarantine guidelines is the top priority, and the performance is expected to proceed as scheduled."

This image is unrelated to the text. Photo by KBS

The three terrestrial broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS are facing dilemmas ahead of year-end award ceremonies related to entertainment, acting, and music. Last year, only a minimal number of people quietly received trophies placed on tables while wearing masks, and some acceptance speeches were pre-recorded. What about this year?

On the 17th at 8:30 p.m., KBS’s 'Gayo Daechukje' will be held at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, hosted by Cha Eun-woo, Seolhyun, and Rowoon, and will be conducted in person.

KBS stated, "This year’s ‘Gayo Daechukje’ will be a stage where in-person audiences and global K-pop fans watching remotely can ‘breathe together’ with artists worldwide."

The SBS Entertainment Awards, hosted by Lee Seung-gi, Jang Do-yeon, and Han Hye-jin, will be held the following day on the 18th. They are preparing cautiously while closely monitoring the spread of infections as the event is two weeks away.

The acting awards of the three broadcasters, scheduled for the end of this month, still have some time before the event. Since it is a gathering where many stakeholders celebrate this year’s achievements, they plan to proceed carefully while monitoring the situation.

Recently, actors Jung Woo-sung, Kim Soo-ro, and Go Kyung-pyo tested positive, and confirmed cases have been reported consecutively at KBS drama filming sites, creating a tense atmosphere in the industry again. Since the event gathers many actors and stakeholders in one place, detailed decisions will be made after closely observing the situation.

A broadcasting official said, "We were preparing the events expecting the situation to improve in December, but with the recent increase in confirmed cases, we are being cautious in many ways," adding, "According to quarantine guidelines, events with fewer than 500 people are allowed, so we are leaning toward in-person events, but with the recent detection of the new Omicron variant, we cannot let our guard down."

The official also said, "Depending on the spread afterward, there is a possibility that the quarantine authorities may reinstate social distancing. We are discussing various variables."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.