Joy will be absent from girl group Red Velvet’s performances in Pyongyang because of a schedule conflict.
SM Entertainment announced on Friday that Joy will not perform with Red Velvet on the 1st and 3rd of April. SM explained that she cannot attend due to the filming schedule for MBC’s drama “The Great Seducer.” Apparently, when the company received the notice asking for Red Velvet to perform in North Korea, they had “decided to adjust [their] existing schedule to prioritize the attendance of all the members” of the group.
However, the time of the notice, which came either on March 20 or shortly before then, did not give the company nor MBC enough time to broker a feasible solution. Producers of the show told SM that “it is impossible to maintain the normal broadcast if Joy misses [filming]” if she changes her schedule to perform in Pyongyang.
To perform in North Korea, Joy would not just be gone for the two days that Red Velvet will perform, but a full five days as part of the entire Arts’ Team. It is difficult to leave a currently airing and filming drama for this length of time unless coordinated early. As such only four members, Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri will be in Pyongyang.
In addition to her absence in North Korea, SubKulture Entertainment also announced that Joy will be missing the group’s first fanmeet in the U.S. for the same reason. This is more than unfortunate considering how impactful, important, and memorable these experience can potentially be for Red Velvet.
Notwithstanding, fans can only hope that SM Entertainment can coordinate for all five members to participate in future activities together.
Translated by O.C
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