[Comprehensive] "Quit the program"... Intensifying public criticism despite apology from 'Itaewon Idol'

NCT Jaehyun · ASTRO Cha Eun-woo / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Idol group members are facing public backlash after it was revealed that they visited Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul during the 'social distancing' period aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Amid this, voices demanding the withdrawal of some members from the programs they are currently appearing in have also emerged.

On the morning of the 18th, Dispatch reported that BTS's Jungkook, ASTRO's Cha Eun-woo, NCT's Jaehyun, and SEVENTEEN's Mingyu visited Itaewon clubs from the evening of April 25th to the early morning of the 26th. According to the report, they visited one restaurant and two entertainment venues.

The timing of their visit to Itaewon clubs coincided with the government's emphasis on social distancing. At the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on April 25th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stressed, "Social distancing must be strictly observed until May 5th, including weekends."

Furthermore, the Itaewon area they visited became a site of a 'mass infection' during the golden holiday period in early May due to visitors to entertainment facilities. As a result, public criticism against them is intensifying.

It has been confirmed that Cha Eun-woo and Jaehyun engaged in official activities immediately after undergoing COVID-19 tests following their visit to Itaewon, leading to posts demanding their withdrawal being posted on the program's bulletin board where they appear.
/Photo by SBS 'Master in the House' viewer bulletin board

In particular, it was confirmed that Cha Eun-woo and Jaehyun participated in official activities even after undergoing COVID-19 tests following their visit to Itaewon. Cha Eun-woo is currently a regular cast member on SBS's 'Master in the House' and is participating in ASTRO's comeback schedule. Jaehyun is also known to have been carrying out his entertainment industry schedules normally, including as an MC on SBS's 'Inkigayo.'

Consequently, several posts demanding Cha Eun-woo's withdrawal from 'Master in the House' were posted on the program's viewer board. As of 8 a.m. on the 19th, the number of posts demanding Cha Eun-woo's withdrawal reached about 90 since Dispatch's report on the 18th.

Moreover, posts demanding Jaehyun's withdrawal were also posted on the viewer board of 'Inkigayo,' where he appears. Netizens who left comments on the board expressed opinions such as, "Is a person who visited entertainment facilities without adhering to the government's social distancing guidelines really qualified to be an MC on a program involving multiple staff members?" and demanded Jaehyun's withdrawal.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Big Hit Entertainment, the agency of Jungkook; Fantagio, the agency of Cha Eun-woo; SM Entertainment, the agency of Jaehyun; and Pledis Entertainment, the agency of Mingyu, each issued apologies in turn.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.