As you all probably know by now, BTS comeback is right around the corner. It’s a huge event for K-pop and I hope everything goes as smooth as possible without anyone getting hurt.
One thing that’s been on my mind after reading a recent article is that apparently many shops and businesses around the vicinity of the area are asked to close for the day due to safety concerns and crowd control. I understand the reasoning behind that. Huge crowds, traffic issues, and public safety are real concerns. But at the same time, a lot of these small mom and pop businesses, closing for even one day can have a real impact. There are people who rely on their daily revenue to keep their lives going.
If you guys didn’t know, South Korea’s self-employed business closure rate has been declining at a rapid rate in recent years due to several factors like high interest rates, sudden inflation and rising living costs, and the debt many businesses accumulated after Covid. Small independent businesses are especially vulnerable in this environment and many are already struggling to stay afloat.
Things would be completely fine the businesses affected by the event were compensated for the day. But from what I read, it’s legally difficult to force the organizers (in this case, HYBE) to compensate them since the event itself is properly permitted and the closure guidance came from the city. So technically, there may not be any legal obligation to pay for the losses of those businesses.
Still, as someone who grew up with parents running a mom and pop store who had to permanently close their business during Covid, I can’t help but feel like it would be the right thing to do if there was at least some form of support or compensation for the businesses that are affected.
Big public events are supposed to bring joy and celebration, but it would feel a lot better if the people who live and work in that area weren’t the ones quietly bearing the cost. Maybe there isn’t an easy solution and I’m just being hopeful here, but I just think it would be nice if the small businesses were acknowledged and supported by either HYBE or the city in some way.
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