Zico pulls out of Akaraka Festival due to health concerns
Zico, the leader of the K-pop boy band Block B and a key figure in the Korean hip-hop scene, will not be participating in Yonsei University's Akaraka Festival. This announcement came on Sunday via KOZ Entertainment—the agency representing Zico—who cited a diagnosis of a vocal cord infection, Laryngitis. Further, the agency revealed that Zico sought medical attention after noticing an unusual condition with his throat during practice.
Medical jargon: Know more about the problem
Per Mayo Clinic, "With Laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This makes the vocal cords swell, which distorts the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic)." "Most cases are triggered by a temporary viral infection and aren't serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition."
Zico's health takes priority over the Akaraka Festival
Following a thorough medical examination, Zico was diagnosed with a vocal cord infection. In line with the doctor's advice, he will be focusing on rest and recovery instead of participating in Yonsei University's 'Akaraka Festival with Alumni' scheduled for Sunday. KOZ Entertainment expressed regret over the situation and sought understanding from both Yonsei University's alumni and Zico's fans. The agency reiterated that their artist's health is their top priority.
Zico's recent release 'SPOT!' garnered a lot of attention!
Meanwhile, Zico recently released a new single titled SPOT! featuring BLACKPINK's Jennie. The song has not only secured the top spot on the local (South Korean) charts for three consecutive weeks but it's making waves globally. On the latest Billboard chart, SPOT! holds strong at 15th place on the 'Global' chart and 32nd on the 'Global 200.' This song marks Zico's first release of the year, celebrating his remarkable decade-long journey as a solo artist.
Rapper-producer's career overview: A look
Born Woo Ji-ho, Zico debuted as the leader of Block B in 2011 and launched his solo career in 2014. Known for seamlessly blending underground and mainstream music, Zico is a dynamic force in the Korean hip-hop scene. He is also part of the hip-hop crew Fanxy Child, which he formed in 2016. In 2019, he released his first full-length solo album, Thinking, which earned him global recognition.
