'Immortal Songs' Taping Delayed in Ulsan Due to Floods
'Immortal Songs,' the long-running music variety show on KBS2, has postponed a special rock festival episode originally set to film outdoors in Ulsan. The decision comes in response to severe flooding and flood warnings that have recently hit the region.
The live taping was scheduled for July 19 at the Taehwagang National Garden in Ulsan. However, torrential rains caused road flooding and traffic restrictions, prompting producers to take swift action in delaying the event.
Safety First: Why Supporters Back the Postponement
Many fans and media experts have applauded the show's producers for prioritizing safety. With natural disasters comes the risk of injury—not just for performers and production staff, but for the audience as well.
By contacting local authorities and taking into account ongoing road conditions, the crew demonstrated thoughtful preparedness. Their message of support for the local community also speaks volumes about the network’s sense of social responsibility, an aspect often expected but not always delivered in broadcast media.
In a time when climate uncertainty is escalating, the decision can be seen as a responsible benchmark for others in the entertainment industry facing similar natural obstacles.
Disappointment and Financial Loss: Reactions from the Other Side
Despite appreciation for the safety-first approach, there’s no denying the impact on fans, staff, and businesses. Many missed vacation days, bought travel tickets, or planned visits around the event. For them, the sudden cancellation came as a blow.
Behind every large-scale concert are countless small businesses—staging companies, food vendors, hotel managers—who bear the brunt of last-minute changes. These aren't just abstract numbers. A local lighting company may have spent weeks preparing only to go unpaid.
Critics also argue that repeated postponements caused by unpredictable weather patterns are a red flag for future events. If every time it rains hard, events get shelved, what does that mean for regional tourism or youth employment opportunities tied to such productions?
Floods Today, Climate Impact Tomorrow
This isn’t just about one show. Experts say events like these are becoming more frequent due to climate change. Unusual rainfall has already swept across South Korea, the United States, and Europe this summer, leading to transportation chaos and canceled events across the board.
As flooding becomes more chronic, major industries—especially live entertainment—must reckon with the new normal. Emergency plans, venues with better drainage, and flexible schedules may soon become staples rather than exceptions.
Environmental advocates suggest the entertainment world must not only prepare logistically but also use its platform to promote climate awareness. After all, what better way to connect people than through music and storytelling?
Looking Forward: Lessons from Ulsan
The delay of ‘Immortal Songs: Rock Festival in Ulsan’ was not ideal—but it was wise. It balanced entertainment with empathy, headline buzz with human concern.
Still, it highlighted a gap: the need for better forecasting tools, digital backup plans, and perhaps even indoor alternatives when weather threatens. As heartbreaking as scrapping an outdoor show might be, injury or disaster would be worse.
If there's a silver lining here, it’s this: perhaps future producers, fans, and even civic planners will see such disruptions not just as setbacks, but as calls to adapt. In the face of climate change, even a song must pause—but that doesn’t mean it ends.
