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On January 3, 2025, the K-pop group SEVENTEEN was spotted at Incheon International Airport dressed in all-black attire as they departed for the Golden Disc Awards in Japan. Fans and media outlets interpreted this sartorial choice as a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 crash.
For the unversed, on December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800 en route from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport to Muan International Airport in South Korea, tragically crashed while landing, resulting in the loss of 179 lives.
The group's gesture has been widely praised for its sensitivity and respect during a time of national grief. Carats, as SEVENTEEN's fans are known, took to social media to express their admiration for the group's thoughtful homage. Many noted that such actions exemplify the group's deep connection to societal events and their empathy towards those affected by the tragedy.
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One fan wrote on X:
"some of yall can’t read the room huh :/ their whole country is mourning from a tragic loss and some of yall r saying they’re cosplaying as mafias have a little bit of decency pls"
Messages of support and condolence flooded various platforms, with fans echoing sentiments of mourning and solidarity. They also wished SEVENTEEN a "safe flight" given the current atmosphere across the country.
"I've noticed a lot of idols are showing their sincerity towards the victims of the plane crash by wearing black.. I've even seen Korean influences doing the same. It's nice to see such solidarity behind the lives lost," one fan wrote.
"Seventeen is going to Japan today for their GDA performance! Have a safe flight, boys. They are also wearing black as a respect to the ongoing national mourning of South Korea," another fan said.
"All the members are wearing black at today’s airport departure. Safe flight seventeen, I pray you go and come back safely," one other fan wrote.
More reactions read:
"Safe skies our seventeen. They’re all wearing black today and kept their heads down," one fan noted.
"South Korea is still in mourning that's probably why everyone is in all black.." another fan stated.
"Respect to all the idols dressed in black at the airport on their way to schedules solemnly reflecting on the tragedy that happened a couple days ago," one other fan added.
South Korea faces tragedy as 179 passengers lose their lives in the Jeju plane crash; SEVENTEEN pays homage
On January 1, 2025, ABC News reported that the aircraft, carrying 181 individuals—175 passengers and six crew members—attempted to land at Muan International Airport just before 9 am local time.
During its second landing attempt, the plane issued a distress call and subsequently skidded off the runway, colliding with a concrete barrier and erupting into flames.
Emergency response teams were dispatched immediately to the crash site to rescue survivors. Despite their swift action, only two survivors, both flight attendants, were rescued and received medical treatment according to the report by Forbes on December 31, 2024.
The remaining 179 passengers were declared dead shortly after the crash and authorities have since identified all the victims.
On January 1, 2025, BBC reported that South Korean officials retrieved both black boxes—the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder—from the wreckage. Preliminary data extraction has been completed, with further analysis underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.
Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae stated that the airline aims to compensate the bereaved families. BBC reported that two of the 179 dead victims were Thai nationals. Two flight attendants who survived the plane crash were found at the tail end of the Jeju Air Flight 2216 (Boeing 737-800).
On January 3, WDSU News reported that only 11 dead bodies were released from the temporary mortuary for the bereaved families to conduct proper funerals.
Furthermore, WDSU News reported it would take months to investigate the plane disaster since there have been rumors that the pilot had sounded a mayday call and that a bird had been trapped in the wing before the jet crashed into the wall, killing everyone on board.
Meanwhile, the Golden Disc Awards, which was previously postponed due to the unfortunate plane crash, is set to be held on January 4 and 5, 2025, at the Mizuho PayPay Dome in Fukuoka, Japan.
However, the ceremony will be aired on January 6 and 7. SEVENTEEN departed from the Incheon Airport on January 3, 2025, for the award ceremony in Japan.
The 13-member group, SEVENTEEN, is set to hold a two-day concert in Bulacan, the Philippines, on January 18 and 19, 2025. The shows are the newly added concert dates to their ongoing SEVENTEEN RIGHT HERE World Tour 2024-2025.
The group will then head to perform in Singapore on January 25, Jakarta on February 8, and Bangkok on February 15.
In the wake of the disaster, South Korea has entered a period of national mourning. Major broadcasters have canceled or suspended year-end award shows, and live broadcasts of events like the 39th Golden Disc Awards have been called off in solidarity with the grieving nation.
