연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-08-06 13:45:57
SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- As extreme heat with temperatures hovering around 40 C continues for an extended period, South Korea's entertainment industry is stepping up measures to protect performers, staff and audiences.
With a string of large-scale outdoor concerts scheduled during the summer season, organizers are introducing cooling zones, allowing spectators to bring electrolyte drinks and, in some cases, permitting re-entry after exiting venues to help prevent heat-related illnesses.
Broadcasters are also adjusting production schedules by moving outdoor shoots indoors when possible and providing regular breaks in air-conditioned vehicles to reduce the risk of heat-related accidents.
◇ Summer outdoor concerts strengthen heat-wave measures
According to the music industry on Wednesday, organizers of major outdoor concerts are focusing on heat-wave safety as the peak summer performance season gets underway.
K-pop group BIGBANG will launch its new world tour at Goyang Sports Complex Main Stadium from Aug. 21-23 to mark the 20th anniversary of its debut.
Other large-scale outdoor events drawing tens of thousands of spectators include "Psy Soak Show Summer Swag 2026 Gwangju" on Aug. 8 at Chosun University Stadium in Gwangju, "Waterbomb Busan" on the same day at Lotte World Adventure Busan, the "2026 Cass Cool Festival" on Aug. 22 at Seoul Land in Gwacheon, and the "Sustainable Wave Festival" on Aug. 29-30 at Incheon Munhak Stadium.
Waterbomb has released bilingual Korean and English heat safety guidelines through its official social media channels, recommending that visitors wear sun hats, apply waterproof sunscreen every two to three hours, bring electrolyte drinks and stay hydrated every 20 to 30 minutes.
The organizer will also provide shaded rest areas, medical stations and one reusable sports towel per attendee that can be soaked in water to help keep cool.
In an unusual move for a paid event, the festival will allow re-entry for concertgoers who leave temporarily to cool down or rest.
An official from the Sustainable Wave Festival said the event is scheduled for late August, when temperatures are expected to be lower than current levels, but added that water trucks would be deployed if extreme heat persists.
Organizers of the Cass Cool Festival also plan to deploy water trucks, operate emergency medical booths and provide drinking water. Air conditioners will be installed in some indoor experience and merchandise booths.
At the "2026 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival," held from July 31 to Aug. 2 at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park in Incheon, organizers expanded medical facilities and stationed medical personnel throughout the venue to provide first aid.
They also set up six cooling zones, distributed free bottled water to attendees and sprayed a total of 180 tons of water over the audience during performances. Shower facilities were also made available on-site.
The three-day festival drew a cumulative 150,000 visitors. Seven people -- six audience members and one staff member from a participating vendor -- were taken to hospitals for treatment of heat-related illnesses.
Major K-pop agencies are also increasingly avoiding outdoor schedules to protect their artists.
"Temperatures are so high these days that even if natural lighting is preferable for photo shoots, we have to move them indoors whenever possible," an official at a major K-pop agency said. "We cannot help but be concerned about potential accidents."
◇ Broadcasters also tighten heat-wave safety measures
Broadcasters are likewise strengthening safety measures as the prolonged heat wave continues.
Major television networks have reinforced guidelines for preventing heat-related illnesses and are adjusting filming schedules based on real-time weather conditions.
KBS said it is implementing safety guidelines based on perceived temperatures for outdoor filming and other outdoor work.
Under the guidelines, work hours are shortened when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 C. Outdoor work is suspended between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. when it exceeds 35 C. During the highest-level extreme heat warning, when perceived temperatures reach 38 C, all nonessential outdoor work is halted.
SBS has also introduced preventive measures for drama and entertainment productions.
The production team of the baseball-themed drama "Full Count," currently in production, said cooling patches, glucose supplements, electrolyte drinks and ice are always available on set, while private ambulances remain on standby for emergencies.
"The cast and crew are guaranteed breaks of around 20 minutes during filming and are encouraged to rest sufficiently in air-conditioned vehicles," the production team said.
Variety programs such as "Shooting Stars" and "Running Man" are also prioritizing safety.
An SBS official said "Shooting Stars" is filmed mainly in indoor gymnasiums, where medical teams remain on-site and cooling patches and electrolyte drinks are provided to prevent heat exhaustion.
"For 'Running Man,' we reserve both indoor and outdoor locations during the planning stage and decide the filming site based on the weather forecast on the day of filming to ensure the health and safety of the cast and staff," the official said.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]