Idol Star Athletics Championships Return After 2 Years

Jeno of K-pop boy band NCT DREAM participates in an archery competition during the 2020 Idol Star Athletics Championships. Captured by MBC

By Pyo Kyung-min

MBC’s massive K-pop star sports event, Idol Star Athletics Championships (ISAC), is returning this fall after a two-year hiatus. While the news has many fans excited, some have raised concerns about potential safety issues.

Broadcaster MBC announced Wednesday that ISAC will return this fall, coinciding with the Korean Chuseok holiday season, with filming scheduled to begin in August.

Since its inception in 2010, ISAC has brought together K-pop idol groups to compete in various sporting events for major Korean holidays, including Seollal (Monthly New Year) and Chuseok (Autumn Harvest Festival). Initially limited to athletics, the competition expanded to futsal, rhythmic gymnastics, esports, and many other indoor and outdoor events, cementing its presence as one of the most sought-after K-pop events.

According to the announcer, this year’s event will feature a diverse lineup of hosts, including TV host Jun Hyun-moo, singers Lee Chan-won, Kang Daniel and girl group NMIXX’s Haewon. Rapper Din Din and girl group STAYC’s Sieun will also serve as in-arena hosts.

The names of the K-pop groups that will compete have not yet been announced.

Screenshots of the Idol Star Athletics Championships 2020 / Made by MBC

While the return was welcomed by many, some fans have expressed concerns about the safety of the event’s participants. They noted that possible injuries during the event could jeopardize the future schedules of their favorite idols, as evidenced by previous incidents during the idol sports competition.

In 2016, BTS member Jin suffered a nose injury during an ISAC futsal match, while EXO’s Xiumin injured his knee during the match. In 2014, AOA member Seolhyun injured her leg while practicing curling, resulting in a six-week recovery period. INFINITE’s Nam Woo-hyun also tore a ligament in his left shoulder during a futsal match in 2014, requiring a four-week recovery period.

Previous issues have also involved the safety and treatment of the public at ISAC events. Some critics have argued that management of fan safety may be neglected, given the size and length of the shootout.