“Aren’t you singing?”… Lee Chan-won didn’t perform to mourn the Itaewon disaster victims but got humiliated by a male audience

Singer Lee Chan-won decided not to sing at an event to mourn the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush but was verbally abused by a male audience.

Lee Chan-won was invited to perform to celebrate the first theme park picnic autumn festival held in Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do on October 30th. Since Korea is in a national mourning period for victims of the Itaewon crowd crush tragedy, which caused over a hundred casualties, the singer expressed his intention not to sing.

The South Korean government recently announced a national mourning period until the 5th of next month. As a result, the broadcasting and music industries as well as performing events canceled and postponed all schedules to convey their condolences to the victims of the disaster and the bereaved families.

Lee Chan-won also told the festival organizers that he could not sing to mourn the victims of the Itaewon crush and asked for their understanding. He also made an announcement on Lee Chan-won Fancafe, saying “I will attend the event but won’t proceed with the singing. Please refrain from shouting and clapping at the festival venue”, announcing his plan to not perform.

Lee Chan-won did not sing, but went on the stage and apologized to the audience once again. He said, “I can’t sing today because there is a national mourning period. I’m so sorry”, asking the audience to understand. 

However, some audiences booed Lee Chan-won as soon as he finished his words. It was reported that a man even verbally abused Lee Chan-won when the male singer was coming down from the stage. That man also started a physical fight by pushing and grabbing a staff by the collar.

Halloween party was held in Itaewon for the first time on October 29th after the social distancing regulations for Covid-19 were lifted. More than 100,000 people came to Itaewon, Seoul to join the festival. However, all the sidewalks, roads, and even small alleys were packed with people. The tragic accident happened in a small and sloppy alley next to Hamilton Hotel. The alley was overcrowded with people trying to go down and those trying to go up. While being pushed from behind, people at the front eventually fell down, causing a crowd crush accident to happen in an instant. 

As of 8 a.m on October 31st, there were 154 deaths and 116 injuries. 

Source: daum