Jeju Air Plane Crash Effects: Industry Mourning and Emergency Broadcasts by Networks

Broadcasters Shift Focus to Emergency News Coverage Amid Tragic Aviation Accident

In the wake of a devastating aviation incident, significant broadcasting networks have opted to cancel scheduled variety shows and year-end award ceremonies. Instead, they have prioritized in-depth news coverage to inform the public of the ongoing situation.

On December 29th, singer Jang Yoon-jeong expressed her sorrow on social media, stating, “This is such a heartbreaking accident. May the deceased rest in peace.” Her husband, Do Kyung-wan, echoed her sentiments, calling the weekend an “incredibly saddening time”and offering condolences to those affected.

Jang Yoon-jeong, Jang Sung-kyu, Kim Ji-min

Broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu shared his shock by posting a black image with the message, “Unbelievable. I hope no further casualties occur.” Similarly, broadcaster Choi Hee also expressed her disbelief and extended her condolences. “I just saw the news. It’s shocking and heartbreaking,” she wrote.

Other personalities in the entertainment sector shared their grief. Singer Tei simply stated, “This is devastating… #RestInPeace,” while actor Choi Seung-kyung remarked, “Unbelievable. May the deceased rest in peace.” Broadcaster Kim Na-young showed her sorrow by sharing a screenshot of the news and added a praying emoji.

Comedian Kim Ji-min articulated the overall sentiment, writing, “An unimaginable tragedy has occurred. May the deceased rest in peace. I sincerely hope for more survivors.” Meanwhile, Seo Ha-yan, wife of singer Lim Chang-jung, offered her condolences, stating, “May they rest peacefully in heaven.”

In the aftermath of the incident, travel YouTuber Pani Bottle shared a message in his channel’s community section announcing the postponement of a video from his Philippines trip. “I woke up this morning to the tragic news of the Muan International Airport accident. As someone who frequently flies, I can’t express how devastated I feel. I pray for the repose of the victims and hope the situation is resolved swiftly,” he wrote.

Network Response and Programming Changes

Broadcasting networks have responded swiftly to this tragedy by stepping away from regular programming. MBC canceled shows including “Let’s Go Video Travel” and “King of Mask Singer” , opting for special news broadcasts instead. The 2024 MBC Entertainment Awards, which was initially set to proceed with only photo opportunities cancelled, has been completely suspended to allocate air time for critical news updates.

Similarly, SBS canceled “Animal Farm” and put the broadcasts of “Inkigayo” , “Running Man” , and “My Little Old Boy” on hold to prioritize emergency reporting. Furthermore, JTBC has also paused the airing of the third episode of “Please Take Care of My Refrigerator” for the evening.

KBS made an official announcement regarding extensive cancellations in light of the Muan Airport plane crash. They confirmed, “KBS will switch to emergency broadcasting on KBS 1TV and suspend weekend entertainment programming on KBS 2TV.”

Emergency news coverage on KBS 1TV began at 9:58 AM, entering a 24-hour broadcasting mode. In contrast, KBS 2TV replaced its usual weekend entertainment offerings with programs like “The Secret of Life and Death” and “Families of Love.” Consequently, shows such as “Boss in the Mirror” , “2 Days & 1 Night” , “The Entertainer” , and “Gag Concert” were canceled.

A KBS programming official explained the rationale behind this decision: “To ensure the rapid delivery of critical information during a national disaster and out of respect for public sentiment, we have canceled entertainment and comedy programming.”

Details of the Incident

In a tragic turn of events, a Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok attempted to land at Muan International Airport around 9:03 AM on December 29th but tragically crashed, impacting adjacent structures and breaking apart. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft was carrying 175 passengers, including 173 Koreans and two Thais, in addition to six crew members, and it was engulfed in flames following the accident.

South Korean Plane Crashes and Catches Fire

By 9:46 AM, firefighters extinguished the initial fire and rescued two injured crew members from the tail section of the aircraft. Unfortunately, most passengers are presumed dead, and fire and aviation authorities are presently engaged in ongoing rescue operations, casualty verification, and investigations to ascertain the precise cause of this tragic accident.

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