"'Heumbbeok Show' Attendees Test Positive After Event" Reports Continue... What About Upcoming Performances?

Health Authorities Launch Investigation into "Heumppeok Show Confirmed Cases" Reports
Previously Requested to Refrain from Water-Spraying Performances
Infection Cause Likely 'Large Crowd Gathering' Rather Than 'Water'
Performance Industry Concerned About Stricter Quarantine Measures... Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Issues 'Thorough Quarantine' Official Letter

On the 15th, the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, was bustling with spectators gathered to watch singer Psy's concert 'Hmph Show'. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] As reports of COVID-19 infections following visits to performance venues have been increasing recently, health authorities have launched an investigation. This has raised concerns that quarantine regulations for music performances and sports events may be further tightened.

Recently, on social networking services (SNS) and other platforms, there have been numerous reports of people testing positive for COVID-19 after attending music performances where water is sprayed on the audience, such as singer Psy's 'Heumbok Show.'

The health authorities stated that they are investigating the surge in confirmed cases following the 'Heumbok Show.' On the 26th, Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a briefing, "It is necessary to investigate which activities might be risk factors. It is already known that mass gatherings or large-scale concerts where many people gather have a higher possibility of transmission. To reduce transmission even slightly, we are advising compliance with quarantine rules even during outdoor activities."

The health authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns about music performances where water is sprayed on the audience at the venue. This is because masks can become wet and thus more vulnerable to infection. At a briefing on June 16, the authorities recommended, "Wet masks increase the risk of bacterial growth and other dangers, so measures such as mask replacement are necessary." The following day's briefing further urged, "When masks become wet, they become more susceptible to infection, so we strongly request that festivals not be conducted in a manner that involves spraying water on the audience."

At that time, music festivals involving spraying water on the audience, such as 'Heumbok Show,' 'Waterbomb Music Festival,' and 'Songkran Music Festival,' were scheduled consecutively. In response, Psy's team announced that the entire venue would be disinfected before the performance and that waterproof masks and three KF94 masks would be provided to the audience.

Performances involving spraying water on the audience are still scheduled. Psy's Heumbok Show plans to continue performances in Gangneung, Yeosu, Daegu, and other locations, while the Waterbomb Festival is also scheduled to take place in Busan, Incheon, Suwon, and other cities.

However, there are suggestions that the cause of the infections at these performances may not be the 'water.' Since the COVID-19 virus spreads through the respiratory tract, the infections could be due to crowding and failure to follow quarantine rules at large-scale events. The health authorities have only stated in principle that "an investigation is needed" regarding the surge in confirmed cases after music performances involving water spraying.

On the 26th, when a heatwave advisory was issued nationwide, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are undergoing COVID-19 testing. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The performance industry is on high alert. Since social distancing was lifted in April, there are concerns that quarantine regulations for all resumed music performances may be strengthened. On the same day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reportedly sent official letters to performance organizers requesting strict quarantine management.

Citizens are also expressing worried views that summer performances could become a catalyst for the spread of COVID-19. This is because the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has exceeded 100,000, marking the full onset of the sixth wave. As of midnight on the 27th, the daily confirmed cases reached 100,285, surpassing 100,000 for the first time in 98 days since April 20 (111,291 cases).

The health authorities are also closely monitoring the local transmission of the Omicron subvariant BA.2.75, known as 'Centaurus.' First identified in India in May, BA.2.75 is known to spread faster than previous variants. Currently, four BA.2.75 infections have been confirmed in South Korea.

At a briefing on the 26th, Baek Kyung-ran, director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, explained, "At this point, it is necessary to observe further whether BA.2.75 will surpass BA.5 to become the dominant strain. Although BA.2.75 is assessed to have faster transmissibility than existing variants, there is insufficient information about its impact on disease severity." She added, "Previously, the Delta Plus variant emerged but did not become dominant and eventually faded away. Whether BA.2.75 will undergo a similar process or become dominant like BA.5 requires close monitoring."

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