The Itaewon crowd crush has left many traumatized, with one expert saying the tragedy will linger in everyone's mind for a long time. Hence, it's maybe the reason the Korean broadcasting industry may ban the word "Halloween" forever.
It has been a norm for broadcasting companies to plan for special Halloween episodes or presentations every year, but this year is different. After the Itaewon crown crush that killed more than 150 people, mostly young adults, occurred on Saturday, October 29, all Halloween-related shows and events have been canceled.
Canceling Halloween
According to AllKpop, broadcasts and VOD services have already removed all Halloween-related episodes—even the parts where the cast is wearing Halloween costumes.
Some episodes that have been scrapped or edited their Halloween content are Hong Kim Dong Jeon, 2 days and 1 Night, and The Return of Superman.
Even OTT and radio shows have removed their Halloween features, along with the themes and emoticons related to it. So instead of featuring special Halloween episodes, the radio channels have aired a special commemorative broadcast.
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In addition, several K-pop agencies have also canceled Halloween-related events. SM Entertainment canceled SMTOWN WONDERLAND 2022, as well as Strike Music Festival.
"It seems that Halloween-related programs, events, and shows will not be produced or held in the broadcasting and performance industry in Korea in the future, not only this year," a broadcast industry official said.
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The Itaewon Crowd Crush Trauma
Ulsan University Hospital professor and psychiatry expert Jun Jin Yong said, via Reuters, that many people, even the ones who're not involved in the incident, are dealing with trauma after the tragic Halloween crowd crush occurred.
These people are looking for answers, which some see as blaming the victims themselves. Jun Jin added that disturbing images were made public in the first hours of the disaster, leaving emotional and mental health effects to "all corners of society."
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"It spread very quickly through news media and social media, leaving people directly and indirectly affected," he explained. "Even those who aren't affected may feel distressed and frustrated, pretty much casting a sense of dread over the entire society."
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