MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / MUSIC

Will KBS apologize to Seventeen? Fans furious at reports of shoddy treatment of band before KBS Song Festival

A new report from Dispatch revealed that Seventeen was called by KBS for a pre-recording after the members got tested negative and then their act was canceled

A new report from Korean media Dispatch reveals some shocking facts about K-pop boyband Seventeen’s ordeal during the KBS Song festival and why they did not show up for the event. After reports surface on the Internet, fans are now demanding an apology from the Korean Broadcasting System claiming the boy band was allegedly subjected to unfair treatment 

Here’s what happened with Seventeen. According to previous reports, Pledis Entertainment’s Seventeen was present in a hair salon on December 16 at the same time as someone who tested positive for Covid-19 later on December 17. Later, the Korean media revealed the person to be Golden Child’s Jaehyun. In the official media statement, Pledis stated, “Hello. This is Pledis Entertainment. The hair salon visited by SEVENTEEN on December 16 was also visited by someone who tested positive for Covid-19. We were informed today that this confirmed case visited at the same time as SEVENTEEN and that some paths crossed."

They added, "Health authorities did not officially request for SEVENTEEN to receive testing, but for the safety of the artists and staff, all members received Covid-19 testing today as a preemptive measure, and they are self-quarantining until the test results are released. We apologize for causing concern to fans, and we will do our best for the health and safety of all of our artists."

A new report from Dispatch then revealed that Seventeen was called by KBS for a pre-recording after the members got tested negative, but S.coups, their leader was still waiting for his results to come. According to health officials, “Even if you have received a negative test result, it is better to remain quarantined.” But KBS called the group for pre-recording as there was ‘no time’ for self-isolation and they did so without their leader. The group spent four hours in pre-recording and waited for the instructions about the next procedures. 

However, what was shocking was that KBS swiftly canceled Seventeen’s appearance at the song festival. Fans were enraged upon reading about the alleged mistreatment of the boy group and immediately asked the network to apologize to Seventeen.

A fan wrote, “The boys work hard and I’m sure they were tired and anxious as hell, but they still showed up. This is all just wrong. Disappointing honestly. #KBSApologizeToSeventeen," another user outraged, “THIS IS AS EQUAL AS THREATENING/ TORTURIN!!! N THAT'S DEFINITELY NOT HOW YOU TREAT A 5 Y/O TRIPLE MILLION SELLER  PM AWARDEE!!!! " SINGERS DON'T HV TIME FOR ISOLATION " - KBS, do u know how big of a mistake u mfs made by saying smthing as shitty as this?”

Another slammed KBS saying, “@KBSWorldTV you're not thinking the safety of the artists and staffs, you're only thinking your show. you forced them to go to the song festival for the sake of your show.” One fan reminded people of the same treatment meted out to another band, “Last year kbs cut off apink performance and didn't treat them well in red carpet. now kbs didn't let Seventeen perform even when they were ready. in this two situations kbs didn't apologize.. They have no respect to my best people.”

Another fan wrote, "@KBSWorldTV you forced seventeen to go to the song festival and they went even though they were very tired. svt waited for 4 hours, did their make-up and they went there without their leader." And added, "then you cancelled the pre-recording of svt. and besides, plds already canceled all the schedule of svt for their safety but you, kbs, put the safety of svt and their staffs at risk. some of them are only wearing slippers because they are in a hurry to go to the song festival. that day, svt should rest because they are so tired. you should apologize to svt for forcing them, for wasting their time and for putting the safety of svt and their staffs at risk. you should apologize to svt for forcing them, for wasting their time and for putting the safety of svt and their staffs at risk."
 

KBS Song Festival titled 'KBS Gayo Daechukje Connect: 2020' took place on December 18. The Korean Broadcasting System has not made any official comment regarding this.