South Korea's BTS may have cancelled their April concert in Seoul over coronavirus fears, but the K-pop group's fervent fans are rallying in small groups and emulating their idols in donating money for coronavirus relief.
"When the concert was cancelled, I was really upset," said one disappointed fan, Im Yu-mi, 19, sitting in her room on a chair covered by a BTS blanket.
Im scoffed at the idea that the concert cancellation had cooled the fervour of BTS' global fan base known as ARMY, an acronym for Adorable Representative MC for Youth.
"It's nonsense," she said, waving a glowstick and tapping her foot to the band's latest music video.
Around 200,000 fans had been expected to go to the concert, which was to be the first leg of BTS' "Map of the Soul" tour of 18 cities, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., London and Tokyo.
Those concerts have not yet been cancelled, but the swift spread of the virus globally has cast doubt on the rest of the tour.
On Tuesday, BTS announced that ticket sales for the European leg would be delayed by several days because of uncertainty over the coronavirus. Their next concert in Santa Clara, California, on April 25 remains unchanged, according to their music label, Big Hit Entertainment.
BTS, a seven-member boy band, has spearheaded a wave of Korean pop music far beyond Asia since their 2013 debut.
Earlier this month, the band's new album "Map of the Soul: 7" topped the Billboard 200 album chart, following three other similar successes.
Plans for a large media event in February for the album launch were ditched due to the coronavirus health scare. Instead the band live-streamed a news conference.
South Korea has reported over 8,400 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 84 deaths.
Last week, BTS fans wearing face masks gathered to celebrate the birthday of band member SUGA at a cafe decorated with posters of him. They had their temperatures checked and were given hand sanitiser at the door.
SUGA is originally from Daegu, the city hardest-hit in the country's coronavirus outbreak, and has donated 100 million won ($80,600) to prevent its spread, according to Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association.
About 11,000 BTS fans followed suit, the association said, donating more than half a billion won. Many of them have even given their ticket refunds from the April concert to purchase relief goods for the needy.
Reuters
Wed Mar 18 2020
Im Yu-mi, fan of K-pop boy band BTS, takes a selfie at a cafe decorated with photos and merchandise of them, in Seoul, South Korea, March 13, 2020. Picture taken March 13, 2020. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji
The battle to reduce road deaths
In Malaysia, over half a million road accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Pro-Palestinian NGOs seek court order to stop Dutch arms exports to Israel
The Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a duty to take all reasonable measures at its disposal to prevent genocide.
How quickly can Trump's Musk-led efficiency panel slash US regulations?
Moves by Trump and his appointees to eliminate existing rules will be met with legal challenges, as many progressive groups and Democratic officials have made clear.
2TM: Consultations on PTPTN loans, admission to IPTA at MOHE booth
Consultations on PTPTN loans and admission to IPTA are among services provided at the Higher Education Ministry booth.
Kampung Tanjung Kala residents affected by flooded bridge every time it rains heavily
Almost 200 residents from 60 homes in Kampung Tanjung Kala have ended up stuck when their 200-metre (m) long concrete bridge flooded.
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.