Entertainment Industry Regains Stability After Emergency Martial Law

The entertainment industry is slowly returning to normalcy following the recent turmoil caused by the declaration of emergency martial law. On December 3, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the emergency measures during a national address at 10:25 PM. In response, the National Assembly convened at 1 AM on December 4, where a motion to lift the martial law was passed with 190 votes in favor. By 4:27 AM, President Yoon confirmed the lifting of the martial law in another address.

The announcement and subsequent lifting of the martial law led to a night of uncertainty, with many staying awake to follow the breaking news. As the situation stabilized, the entertainment sector began to find its footing again.

Due to the emergency news coverage, many entertainment programs were canceled on December 4. Major broadcasting networks, including KBS, MBC, and SBS, aired special news reports, resulting in the cancellation of shows like KBS1's 인간극장 (Human Theater) and MBC's 기분 좋은 날 (Good Day).

The cancellations continued into the evening, with MBC announcing the postponement of 시골마을 이장우 (Village Mayor Lee Jang-woo) and 라디오스타 (Radio Star), while SBS also canceled 골 때리는 그녀들 (Women Who Kick). MBN followed suit, canceling 고딩엄빠 (Teenage Parents) and 나는 자연인이다 (I Am a Natural Person), and TV Chosun's 미스쓰리랑 (Miss Three) and Channel A's 현역가왕2 (Current King of Mask Singer) also faced delays.

The popular show 유퀴즈온더블럭 (You Quiz on the Block) was also confirmed to be canceled, which was particularly disappointing as BLACKPINK's Rosé was scheduled to appear and discuss her recent success with the song 'Apartment.' However, she will now meet viewers next week.

On December 5, two days after the martial law was lifted, the entertainment schedule resumed as planned. Netflix's 트렁크 (Trunk) proceeded with an interview featuring Gong Yoo, and the production conference for the variety show 최강럭비:죽거나 승리하거나 (Ultimate Rugby: Win or Die) took place at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Additionally, the production conference for ENA and U+'s 기안이쎄오 (Gyan Is Here) was held in Mapo District.

A photo wall event featuring actress Han So-hee also went ahead as scheduled, alongside a photo call for GQ NIGHT 2024, which included notable attendees such as Lee Jong-won, Oh Sang-wook, aespa's Winter, Tomorrow X Together's Yeonjun, Lee Jung-jae, and Ahn Sung-jae in Seongdong District.

In the political arena, following the lifting of martial law, six opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, Justice Party, Reform Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party, and Social Democratic Party, submitted a motion for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol to the National Assembly on December 4. All 191 members of the opposition, excluding those from the People Power Party, participated in this motion.