Henry Ng attends Winchester College in the United Kingdom. Photo: Handout

European cities are often considered top tourist destinations, whether for their picturesque landscapes, rich culture or delicious cuisine. However, recently, citizens of these tourist hotspots have become increasingly outraged by the negative impacts of mass tourism on their cities.

In response to growing public discontent, the Spanish government has adopted a new “royal decree” tightening restrictions on tourist accommodation. Those looking to rent out their properties through any platform will now need a digital permit before doing so. The aim is to regulate short-term vacation rentals and combat the housing shortage. Similarly, the Czech government has banned tourist groups from organizing nightly pub crawls.

Although these policies are likely to appease the local population and alleviate the problem of excessive tourism, it is important to note that they also hold the potential for economic restructuring. Tourism is one of the main contributors to the Spanish economy. Government policies limiting the growth of this sector will undoubtedly result in unemployment for many people.

The decree puts great pressure on the Spanish labor market. But it could also be an opportunity for the Spanish government to restructure its economy.

The Spanish government has long subsidized the aviation industry, allowing ultra-low-cost airlines to operate flights to Spain. By increasing air taxes or implementing broader tourism taxes, the Spanish government can reduce the total volume of tourists while still generating significant revenue.

Another strategy to address the problem of tourism “quality” is to introduce tourism caps on popular attractions. While limiting overcrowding, this measure also aims to improve the experience of tourists and locals.

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Hong Seunghan from Riize. Photo: Instagram

K-pop idol Hong Seunghan’s recent resignation from Riize, a rising boy group under SM Entertainment, has sparked a bitter battle within the fandom. Many South Korean fans view his past behavior as unacceptable, while international supporters say he is being unfairly punished.

Seunghan was indefinitely suspended from the group in November last year after photos of him smoking and kissing a woman in bed were leaked online.

The 21-year-old officially announced he was leaving the group two days after returning from an 11-month hiatus.

His departure was due to intense backlash online and in the real world. Some fans even sent white funeral wreaths to SM Entertainment’s offices to symbolize their demand that Seunghan leave the group.

In October, Wizard Production – the SM Entertainment production team in charge of Riize – announced that Seunghan would be joining the group. They said he admitted his actions and deeply apologized.

The move angered some Korean fans, who claimed his past actions had damaged the group’s reputation.

In the image-conscious world of K-pop, idols are expected to maintain a healthy attitude. Smoking or being seen in romantic situations is often viewed negatively by fans.

However, the news of Seunghan’s resignation from the group caused a backlash, mainly driven by international fans. They rallied to his defense and criticized what they described as a toxic cancel mentality among Korean fans. Many argued that Seunghan was the victim of an invasion of his privacy and that he deserved a second chance.

Search and discuss

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  Do you think the backlash against Seunghan was justified? Why or why not?

  
  




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  What does this controversy say about the culture and expectations of the K-pop industry?

  
  




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  What do you think are the appropriate responses to this situation from Seunghan and the fans?