Netizen Outrage Toward BPM Entertainment Grows As VIVIZ’s SinB and Umji Cancel Hi-Touch Event Appearance Due To “Poor Condition”
The We Bridge Music Festival & Expo is underway in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three-day event features hi-touch events, interviews, and music from an impressive line-up of K-Pop artists, including MONSTA X, Dreamcatcher, BamBam, ENHYPEN, VIVIZ, and more.
The festival is taking place only days after ASTRO Moonbin‘s tragic passing, a loss felt throughout the industry and worldwide as his family, fellow members, friends, and fans mourn.
We Bridge Music Festival & Expo announced they would be honoring Moonbin with a special tribute on Friday, with a moment of silence and a “Light Up Tribute.”
At the We Bridge Music Festival, we will be honoring Moonbin’s memory with a special tribute this Friday evening, ahead of our first concert performance 🤍 https://t.co/19Rjoqq0cb pic.twitter.com/sdsb85fRHe
— We Bridge Music Festival & Expo (@WeBridgeExpo) April 21, 2023
As the festival proceeds as planned, netizens continue to voice frustrations with the festival and BPM Entertainment (also known as Big Planet Made) for VIVIZ’s participation.
The VIVIZ members are known to be close to ASTRO’s Moonbin. SinB grew up with ASTRO’s Moonbin as a childhood friend, and they’re in a tight-knit friend group with some of K-Pop’s fellow ’98-liners, including VIVIZ’s Umji.
VIVIZ was pictured en route to the festival and broke fans’ hearts as they appeared solemn, dressed in all black ahead of their flight.
Netizens voiced their concerns for the members and outrage as it was discovered the VIVIZ members would be missing Moonbin’s funeral due to their participation in the We Bridge Music Festival & Expo not being canceled.
We want Viviz to cancel their schedule bot just because it's Moonbin's funeral, the main reason is that they are very weak and tired right now especially Sinb . They didn't even gave little time to mourn and rest. Do you even think they have the strength to face their fans?
— ʚïɞ (@bbbscenez) April 22, 2023
it’s not just missing the funeral. it’s putting viviz’s grief on public display for the world while they hv to pretend to be okay& people analyzing every move of theirs. it’s making them perform when they can’t even smile and do hitouch & q&a where anyone could say anything wrong
— fra at wuju bakery (@goldeneunbi) April 21, 2023
Not only did you not replace Viviz and force them to miss Moonbin’s funeral, you call him an “icon” on your mourning letter.
This company needs to be boycotted. Kpop stans do not endorse this treatment. https://t.co/jPr9bMja2e
— Eyal Oged 🚁 (@eyaloged) April 22, 2023
After netizens’ initial outrage, it was announced that VIVIZ would not be participating in the planned GRAMMY Museum interview and the red carpet event due to the artists’ “current conditions.”
Learning VIVIZ was able to sit out of those events did little to satisfy netizens’ disappointment in their company and the festival and, instead, continued to garner backlash.
Hours later, it was also announced that members SinB and Umji wouldn’t participate in VIVIZ’s scheduled hi-touch event, leaving Eunha to participate in the event on her own.
Netizens continue to express their outrage at the company’s and festival’s lack of consideration for the VIVIZ members in their time of mourning.
They shouldn't have left Korea for a 30 minutes performance in such a condition and day, to begin with but even now just let all 3 of them to rest, no fan wants to see their performance or have a high touch right now, we we all want them to just take a break.
— sinb source. 신비 (@hebsource) April 22, 2023
"We understand that many of you may have looked forward to meeting viviz for a long time."
Who? we would have preferred viviz to have some time for themselves instead of attending this event pic.twitter.com/xRJB2s7Hyo
— juaa0z🍪 (@mbiyaa3) April 22, 2023
“Due to poor condition” why did you let them go at all knowing what they’re going through?? You’re lucky to have the girls in your company in the first place. Protect them better
— amy (@_kimumji) April 22, 2023
You should have cancelled the schedule to begin with. Of course they’re not in good condition. You didn’t even give them a chance to grieve. Maybe put your artists over profit for once. They should have never been made to attend. You should have given them the time they needed. https://t.co/AXByzcvN3y
— Gabby 🩵🪼 (@jcctarotea) April 22, 2023
At this time, VIVIZ is still scheduled to perform at the We Bridge Music Festival & Expo concert.
See initial coverage below:
