Concerts and events canceled as industry remembers Koo

A public memorial was set up for fans at The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul. The memorial was closed on Tuesday night. [YONHAP]

The entertainment industry came to a standstill after the death of singer Koo Ha-ra, with agencies canceling their performers’ schedules out of respect for the late star.

The first to cancel their showcase was girl group AOA, who had initially planned an event to mark the release of their new EP “New Moon” on Tuesday. “We share our deepest condolences for such sad news in the entertainment industry,” FNC Entertainment, AOA’s agency, said on Monday.

SM Entertainment soon followed, canceling Exo’s press conference for the release of their sixth full-length album “Obsession” on the same day. The event was scheduled to be held on Wednesday morning.

Girl group Mamamoo called off an online live streaming event set to be held on Monday evening. They recently released their second full-length “Reality in Black” on Nov. 14.

Singer Crush, who was set to release his full-length album on Thursday, postponed the release date to Dec. 5, according to his agency P Nation.

A number of celebrities paid their personal respects.

Hur Young-ji, Koo’s former bandmate, stated that she will not be taking part in the recording for tvN’s “Comedy Big League,” while singer Kim Hee-chul deleted all followers on his Instagram and turned his account to private. T.O.P of Big Bang posted a picture of the last message he received from Koo, saying he was “Sorry for not replying to the birthday congratulations. I’m so sorry Hara. Rest in peace.”

Koo’s family has shortened the opening hours for Koo’s public memorial set up at The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Gangnam, southern Seoul, closing it on Tuesday midnight.

Koo, a former member of girl group Kara, was found dead in her residence on Sunday evening. The police found a hand-written note on a table in her living room and no evidence of foul play. There will not be an autopsy.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]