South Korea’s $5 billion K-Pop industry has suffered under COVID-19 restrictions. Concerts have been shut down, denying fans their fix. Despite an omicron surge, South Korean officials are meeting K-pop lovers halfway. A New Year’s Eve extravaganza featuring top girl and boy bands was allowed to commence — but only if fans promised to mask up and not to scream with joy or sing along. Only clapping and waving glow sticks were allowed. As one official put it: “We are trying to strike a fine balance.” It’s all a bit surreal but this may be the “new normal” for live K-pop in 2022.
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