On September 16, news media reported that many of the K-pop idols agency and their artists are in a precarious situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some networks with events canceled, such as festivals and music concerts, and many small and medium-sized businesses and agencies are at their brink of shutting down, and others have already gone closed.

Black Swan was up for their debut this year but was postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic. Youngheun stated that they trained for over a year and a half, but after the COVID-19 outbreak, the debut was pushed back, and all they have to do now is train.

Hyeme added that she needs to succeed because all she knows to do is singing and dancing. Her family is said to be in Brazil, and she wants to send them money. Hyeme is stuck in a frustrating situation.

The head of Black Swan’s agency DR Music, Yoon Deung Ryong, said that 99 percent of the small agencies like them are close to bankruptcy and they are having a hard time staying afloat in the situation. During the preparation period of Black Swan, the agency spent 20 to 30 million won a month and is wiped out right now.

One of the artists in Liz Entertainment, home of the girl groups ICU and Chic Angel, shared that the label is sorry for not keeping their promise. They were supposed to do a concert overseas this year and were also canceled. For the agency’s way to survive, they have to combine ICU and Chic Angel as one group.

The agency head also stated that he is doing much more of everything. Before the pandemic, they have everyone, including managers and stylists, but now, he is doing everything on his own. They are cost-cutting as much budget as they can. They gave up their office too, and they left one practice studio for the girls.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, approximately 34 entertainment agencies shut down since March of 2020. (Via Soompi)

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