COVID Hits Entertainment Industry... Kim Won-hae and Heo Dong-won Confirmed, Oh Man-seok Self-Quarantined (Summary)

Heo Dong-won, Kim Won-hae, and Seo Seong-jong in the play 'Jjamppong' cast
Ongoing suspension of filming for TV and theater appearances
Oh Man-seok self-quarantines after testing... Makeup artist confirmed positive
Increased risk of additional infections following actors' movement paths

That Guy Is That Guy (left) and Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol. Photo by KBS.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Following actor Seo Seong-jong, actors Heo Dong-won and Kim Won-hae also tested positive for COVID-19 on the 20th, raising concerns about the spread of the virus in the entertainment industry. Actor Oh Man-seok was also classified as a close contact of a confirmed case and has entered self-quarantine.

Heo Dong-won and Kim Won-hae, along with actor Seo Seong-jong who tested positive the day before, are all cast members of the play 'Jjamppong'.

Heo Dong-won's agency Ace Factory stated on the 20th, "Heo Dong-won tested positive for COVID-19," adding, "The test results from the morning of the 19th confirmed that he was infected as a secondary infection from a cast member (who appears in the play together)."

Actor Heo Dong-won. Photo by Ace Factory

Ace Factory said, "Heo Dong-won is currently being transferred by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency for additional retesting," and "We informed the agency about the testing progress immediately after being contacted by them regarding the drama 'Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol' in which he is also appearing, so that follow-up measures could be taken promptly, and we shared today's positive test result immediately as well."

However, it is not yet clear whether Heo Dong-won's infection was transmitted directly from Seo Seong-jong or from a third party, so a detailed epidemiological investigation is expected to be necessary.

Earlier, Seo Seong-jong, who appears in the KBS drama 'That Guy Is the Guy' and the play 'Jjamppong', tested positive for COVID-19 on the 19th, leading to a temporary suspension of his drama and play appearances. Also, actress Hwang Jung-eum, who stars in the drama 'That Guy Is the Guy' alongside Seo Seong-jong, canceled some of her schedules.

Actor Kim Won-hae [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Won-hae also tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day, immediately shared the result, and canceled all scheduled activities.

Kim Won-hae's agency Double S G Company stated, "Although Kim Won-hae was not a testing target, since cast members of the play 'Jjamppong' tested positive, he underwent testing on the 19th and has been self-quarantining as a precaution," adding, "He is currently self-quarantining according to the guidelines of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and will be transferred to a hospital once a bed becomes available."

Actor Oh Man-seok was also classified as a close contact of a confirmed case and began self-quarantine.

Oh Man-seok said via SNS on the afternoon of the same day, "I currently have no fever or other symptoms, but I came to get tested quickly just in case," adding, "I will inform you immediately once the results come out tomorrow morning."

On the morning of the 20th, Oh Man-seok was filming 'Genre Only Comedy' at the JTBC building in Sangam-dong, Seoul, when it was confirmed that he had close contact with a confirmed case, leading to the suspension of filming.

Oh Man-seok had close contact for about two hours on the 17th with the makeup artist who did makeup for Heo Dong-won, who tested positive. Oh Man-seok's agency stated, "At that time, the makeup artist was wearing a mask, but Oh Man-seok was not wearing one."

Oh Man-seok's test results are expected to be released the following morning.

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