As this has been the most devastating aviation disaster in South Korea’s history, it has led to widespread cancellations of entertainment programs and year-end award ceremonies.
The accident occurred at 9:03 AM on December 29, when Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 (Bangkok to Muan) crashed while attempting to land at Muan Airport. Onboard were 181 people, including 175 passengers and 6 crew members. While two individuals were rescued and hospitalized, the remaining 179, including two Thai nationals, perished.
The government designated a seven-day national mourning period starting December 29. That evening, the 2024 MBC Entertainment Awards were ultimately canceled after extensive discussions. However, with multiple award ceremonies still on the calendar, broadcasters found themselves in a difficult position. The MBC Drama Awards, scheduled for December 30, and the KBS Drama Awards and SBS Entertainment Awards, both set for December 31, remained “under discussion” as of this writing, reflecting the broadcasters’ dilemma.
Many netizens voiced strong opposition to proceeding with these events, stating, “How can celebrating celebrities take precedence over mourning the dead?” and “Should the public be forced to watch celebrations instead of broadcasts honoring the victims?” However, some broadcasting staff expressed skepticism about canceling the ceremonies, citing their livelihoods. One staff member remarked, “This is our livelihood. We’ve put in months of preparation, and if the events are canceled, we don’t get paid.”
Amid public pressure, MBC and KBS announced modifications to their plans. Both will cancel live broadcasts and red-carpet events, transitioning instead to pre-recorded formats. SBS, however, took a firmer stance, canceling both live and recorded portions of their Entertainment Awards scheduled for December 31. The live broadcast will be canceled for now, but the event will proceed anyway and the recorded portion will be broadcast later.
Despite the tragedy, the reasons terrestrial broadcasters cannot outright cancel these events are clear. Freelance staff are often paid per broadcast, and cancellations mean they won’t receive their agreed wages. Many had been working on these events for months without upfront compensation. Canceling the events entirely would lead to substantial financial losses due to breach of advertising and sponsorship contracts, which include hefty penalty clauses.
An industry insider explained, “Year-end award shows involve months of preparation. Freelancers are paid on a per-show basis, meaning their income depends on whether the broadcast airs. Canceling impacts not just salaries but also contracts with sponsors.”
While the efforts and labor of those preparing for these broadcasts cannot be ignored, the tragedy of 179 lost lives outweighs all other considerations. The public’s discontent is not directed at the victims or their families but rather at the broadcasters who fail to take decisive action in line with the national sentiment.
As the three major networks remain silent amid mounting criticism, the voices of bereaved families and frustrated staff grow louder. However, one thing remains clear: nothing is more precious than human life.
The post “Cancel Award Ceremonies” VS “Our Livelihoods Depend on It”—The Hidden Reasons Terrestrial Broadcasters Can’t Cancel Events Despite Criticism appeared first on KBIZoom. KBIZoom – Breaking news about K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and worldwide entertainment KBIZoom – Breaking news about K-pop, K-drama, Anime/Manga and worldwide entertainment
