The Cultural Sector on Alert Due to New Coronavirus... Super Junior Comeback Show Held Privately, Kim Soo-hyun Fan Meeting Temporarily Postponed

On the 28th, as public anxiety grows over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), tourists are watching the royal guard changing ceremony at Deoksugung Palace in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Tension is rising in the cultural sector as the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads. The risk of transmission is high since thousands of people often stay in enclosed spaces. Some events have been postponed or switched to closed-door formats.

Super Junior changed their scheduled comeback show for the repackaged 9th album, 'Super Junior The Stage,' at the Ilsan Bitmaru Broadcasting Support Center on the 28th to a closed recording. Originally, the event was planned to be held twice with about 400 fans attending each session.

Actor Kim Soo-hyun also temporarily postponed his fan meeting, which was to be held on the 9th of next month at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul with a capacity of 1,000 seats. Considering Kim Soo-hyun's fandom in the Chinese-speaking region, announcements in Chinese and even hotel reservation pages were provided. Kim Woo-seok, formerly of the group X1, also postponed the ticket sale date for his fan meeting planned for the 22nd of next month.

The performing arts sector is proceeding with most events as scheduled. Instead, they are taking thorough preventive measures such as providing hand sanitizers and encouraging mask use. Yoo In-taek, president of the Seoul Arts Center, said, "Basic measures have been prepared. We referred to the MERS manual to establish countermeasures," adding, "We plan to coordinate preventive activities with other performance venues."

Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, LG Arts Center, and Gyeonggi Arts Center also held meetings on the 28th and announced similar preventive measures. The theater and musical industries are paying close attention to hygiene management by placing hand sanitizers in various locations.

Large cinemas such as CGV and Lotte Cinema have encouraged their staff to follow preventive guidelines. Hwang Jae-hyun, CGV’s PR team leader, said, "We have placed thermometers to prevent staff infections and require masks when interacting with customers." He added, "We are also considering emergency disinfection and refraining from external events." Kang Dong-young, PR team leader at Lotte Cinema, said, "Hand sanitizers are placed throughout the theaters, and we encourage their use through preventive posters."

Broadcasting stations, which often mobilize live audiences, are considering recording without audiences. KBS stated, "If the situation worsens or government guidelines are issued, we can proceed with recordings without an audience." Mnet will install thermal imaging cameras at the entrance for the 'M Countdown' recording on the 30th to detect body temperatures and manage suspected cases among the audience.

At popular tourist sites such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung Palaces, and Jongmyo Shrine, infection prevention guidelines will be posted in English, Chinese, and Japanese. A Cultural Heritage Administration official from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Headquarters said, "We plan to complete the installation by today." Cultural heritage guides, ticket clerks, and security personnel will wear masks while on duty.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will also require masks for ticket clerks, exhibition guards, and security staff. Hand sanitizers will be placed in restrooms and ticket booths, and videos containing infection prevention guidelines will be screened to intensify preventive efforts.