New boy band's debut promotion to start Jan. 6
K-pop powerhouse JYP Entertainment has postponed the debut promotion schedule for its new boy group, KickFlip, as the country observes a national mourning period following the deadly plane crash in Muan, South Jeolla Province, on Sunday.
Originally set to begin Wednesday, promotional activities for KickFlip were rescheduled after the tragedy to start on Jan. 6.
“We will provide updates accordingly if any further changes take place. We ask for the understanding of fans who have been waiting patiently and extend our deepest condolences over the heartbreaking tragedy,” JYP Entertainment said in a statement. The agency announced that promotional content for the rookie group will now be uploaded starting at midnight on Jan. 6.
The debut plans were first revealed during J.Y. Park’s video presentation at the “2024 Mnet Asian Music Awards,” held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Nov. 21. The presentation included the text, “We are in the final stages of preparing for KickFlip’s debut next year.”
KickFlip is a seven-member boy band set to debut this year, marking JYP Entertainment’s first boy band debut in seven years since Stray Kids in 2018. The group’s name is inspired by a skateboarding trick where the board is flipped 360 degrees with a flick of the foot, symbolizing their ambition to break free from conventions and carve their own path in the industry.
The postponement follows the tragic events of Sunday morning, when a Jeju Air passenger plane attempted an emergency landing at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Jeolla Province, after failing to deploy its landing gear. Of the 181 passengers onboard, only two were rescued, while 179 tragically lost their lives. In response, the government declared a seven-day national mourning period, lasting until Saturday.
jy@heraldcorp.com
