Korean boy band BTS will be holding their comeback performance at Gwanghwamun on the 21st. Recently, it was reported that a wave of 'forced time off' has swept through Korean companies. According to Korean media, employees working near Gwanghwamun revealed that some companies have directly announced: 'Everyone must take a half-day off on Friday afternoon.' After the reason was revealed, some office workers were furious.
The Korean civic group 'Workplace Bullying 119' has recently received a flood of complaints, pointing out that some companies require employees to take annual leave all together, with no room for negotiation. One office worker helplessly said: 'It's not that I want to see BTS—the company just told me to go home.'
This move also immediately sparked legal controversy. Experts pointed out that annual leave should be decided by employees themselves; companies cannot unilaterally force everyone to take time off just because 'an event is too big.' Otherwise, this may violate labor laws. Even more outrageous, some people don't even get to take leave—they were simply notified not to come to work that day, with no certainty as to whether they would be paid.
Once the incident became public, online discussions exploded. Some angrily criticized: 'Is this a concert or city lockdown?' Others wryly joked: 'First time being forced to take time off for an idol.' But some fans joked: 'At least now we don't need to request leave to queue for tickets.'
News Source: Taiwan Liberty Times