On April 16, the Sewol ferry sunk into the ocean. As fear and hopelessness struck the nation, paralyzing all activities, the K-pop scene followed suit, bringing all to a halt; after all, it is inappropriate and superficial for a cheery song to be broadcasted when the nation lies in devastation.

April 21, six days after the incident, is a Monday -- another start to a brand new week. But the K-pop scene remains silent, as if on hold. Scheduled promotions and album releases have all been canceled or delayed indefinitely.

Music programs of all major TV stations have been canceled. There is no "new comeback song" to broadcast and no performance to stage; it's socially inappropriate for a musician to release and promote a new song in this national catastrophe.

Considering the music programs' month-long pause during the 2010 Cheonan sinking, it is estimated that the Sewol sinking will bring on a similar halt in the K-pop scene. Artists' comebacks will be delayed, and even if initiated, are projected to struggle amidst the social crisis.

The musicians scheduled to come back in April have all pushed back their comeback dates to May, building up competition among May comeback artists. A significant number of comebacks have been lined up for May in anticipation of the opening of the Brazil World Cup in June. A movement to reschedule comeback dates among artists planning album release has been noted.

A music industry source claimed: "Many artists have tried to reschedule their album release dates. Many have been scheduled for end of April and beginning of May to avoid competing with EXO -- however, due to the Sewol sinking, everything has been pushed back to May. Competition for music programs and music charts is projected to increase, and that's getting a lot of artists worried".

EXO, who held their comeback showcase on April 15, pushed back their release and promotion of new mini album "Overdose". Junggigo, Block B, Kim Jin Ho, Lena Park, and Yang Hee Eun have all canceled their album release, as did G.NA, FIESTA, INFINITE, and T-ARA's Jiyeon.