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the covid-19 pandemic has catapulted the world into isis. in spite of social distancing measures and the closing of country borders, the conavirus continues to spread, changing the lives of many. this time, we explore how it has affected aists. "asia insight" has previously met performers, artists and writers. close to china where the pandemic began, vietnam and south korea. how has culture there been affected? ♪

>> vietnam had one of the swiftest responses in asia and has managed to keep infection rates low. in april, movement restrictions were placed on the entire population for three weeks. all public transport was stopped. commercial facilities were closed. and economic activity ground to a halt. four years ago, "asia insight" reported on a new generation of japanese anime and manga lovers in vietnam. born in the '90s, they benefitted directly from the country's more open do moye economic strategy.

one artist has become the face of this new generation. manga artist nguyen he spoke to us about the current situation in vietnam.

vietnam publishes the age, gender, and historical movement of infected patients. anybody who has been in contact with these patients is

quarantined, even if they show no symptoms. >> when we met phong four years ago, he was always observing the cityscape around him. any person or view that caught his eye was captured in a photograph. everyday landscapes contain many hints about human behavior and

specific eras. phong's best-known work is incredibly popular in vietnam. it's set in the 13th century and carefully recreates the customs and clothing of that era. he believes that our experiences of the pandemic will become vital materials of future creations.

>> phong and his friends run a manga production studio.

the pandemic has struck a blow to vietnam's publishing world as well. ceo handled the studio's management and finances. he noticed something surprising during the current crisis. >> the government has already relaxed restrictions and begun to focus on economic recovery. this has led to certain changes. an enormous sign urging people

to protect themselves from the virus. "asia insight" profiled this man in 2017. >> propaganda art like this is the reserve of socialist nations. specialist content the government wants to impress upon the population.

when we visited three years ago, he was making anniversary posters celebrating the vietnamese army. he began working as a propaganda artist during the vietnam war. he served on the front lines and was tasked with recording every event in his art. over half a century, he has created more tlhan 800 works of art. his work during and after the war was to ensure the people of vietnam would work together to support the nation. having survived the major crisis of the war, how does this veteran artist view the current global pandemic?

>> every generation has its own attitudes. but in this rapidly changing era artists of every age continue to

search for meaning in their role. like vietnam, south korea also responded swiftly to the pandemic and kept infections to a minimum. but there are strong concerns about a second wave. this bookstore was featured on "asia insight" in 2018. restrictions were finally relaxed in may, and customer numbers are returning to pre-pandemic levels.

>> when we filmed two years ago, independent bookstores in south korea were gaining significant popularity, free from the influence of major book retailers.

a sales event for self-published books drew 20,000 people over two days. >> independent bookstores played a significant move in the self-publishing movement. instead of lining their shelves with best sellers and magazines, owners promote their personal favorites whether it's poetry anthologies or picture books n. 2017, over-50 new independent bookstores opened in seoul alone. his independent bookstore had to

cancel many events. he still hopes to create a space for poets and poetry lovers. >> south korea is currently in search of a new normal and people are forging connections in new ways. the key to preventing infection is maintaining physical distance and avoiding groups. this independent bookstore has a reputation for highly personal service. the store owner chats with customers and steers them towards books they might enjoy.

this is a former radio script writer. >> one regular customer has come in the for the first time in months. she's a nurse and a member of china's reading club.

>> the nurse has barely been able to find time to read recently. so, jung takes her to a special customer reading group. he recommends the book in which the heroine battles discrimination.

>> three years ago, we followed another new movement in south korea. the entertainment district is home to a wide variety of performers. comedians sing about the latest twists and turns of current

affairs. people express themselves through direct connection with an audience. this is also one of asia's most popular districts with over 150 her forma performance areas. it's sometimes called south korea's broadway. we visited the new universe theater company, who have won awards at korean music festivals. they focus on social issues and use historic events for their shows. >> the script, direction and management of the group are all handled by the leader, kim

su-jung. we spoke to her online.

>> kim's group had started meeting in this building for rehearsals. they pay $600 a month in rent. it wasn't easy to find such an affordable space. >> none of the group make a living by performing. they all have part-time job. yet their passion for the stage ties them tother.

serated, but without ally nnecti their group won't survive. they've beg reme reheaals. >> looki at each othern the

scen, th exchangideas.

the light of dawn appeared in may as the government relaxed restrictions. the group chose a previous work for their reopening, a story about a woman who suffered physical abuse.

>> together the group examined the script, we wrote every detail, and began rehearsals. audien audience members would be kept tie minimum and the stage disinfected. every precaution would be taken. then, later that month, just as restrictions were relaxed, another cluster of infections was reported. the group was strongly divided over what to do. kim went back and forth struggling to make the right decision. eventually, she decided to go ahead with the show.

the curtain has risen on a new era as we continue living alongside this pandemic. how will artists find new ways to express themselves amid this turmoil. it's a question that each artist must wrestle with and find their own unique answer.

♪ >> california and colorado are hit by a new variant of covid-19 as president donald trump blames individual u.s. states for failing to meet vaccine goes. and regulators in the u.k. approve emergency use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine, boosting hopes other countries will soon get help fighting covid-19. ♪ >> you are watching al jazeera live from our headquarters in doha. also coming up, and attack kills at least 26 pe a