Im Young Woong to Hold Concert During National Mourning Period

Singer Im Young Woong has decided to proceed with his concert during the national mourning period following a tragic plane crash that occurred on December 29, 2024. The incident involved a Jeju Air flight that crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 179 out of 181 passengers. In response to this tragedy, the South Korean government declared a seven-day national mourning period, lasting until January 4, 2025.

In light of the mourning period, many entertainment events have been canceled, including year-end award ceremonies and various television programs, as the nation collectively mourns the victims. While some artists, such as Kim Jang Hoon, Jo Yong Pil, Lee Seung Hwan, Ali, and Tae, have announced the cancellation or postponement of their concerts, others like Im Young Woong, Sung Si Kyung, and Jaurim have chosen to continue with their scheduled performances.

Im Young Woong's decision has sparked a mixed reaction online, particularly due to the recent controversy surrounding his response to a political situation. On December 7, as the nation focused on a vote regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, Im Young Woong faced backlash for posting a celebratory message for his dog’s birthday. When criticized by a netizen for his timing, he responded with "What?" and questioned why he should voice his opinion as a non-politician.

Although it remains unclear if the message was genuinely from him, both he and his agency have refrained from making any formal statements. However, during his concert on December 27 at the Gocheok Sky Dome, he made a vague reference to the controversy, stating, "It was a time to learn a lot. I am a person who sings, and I want to bring joy and comfort through my music."

Despite his attempts to address the situation, public sentiment remains divided. Some fans support his choice to honor commitments to his audience, while others criticize him for performing during a time of national mourning, pointing out that many other artists have canceled their events. Im Young Woong's agency has offered full refunds for concert tickets without any cancellation fees for those who wish to abstain from attending due to the mourning period.