Up10tion's Bitto Tests Positive for COVID-19... Music Industry on Alert

Up10tion, who appeared on SBS's 'Inkigayo' on the 29th. Photo by TOP Media.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Boy group UP10TION member has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As UP10TION was actively promoting after their album release recently, the music industry is on high alert.

UP10TION's agency, TOP Media, announced on the 30th through their official website that UP10TION member Bitto tested positive for COVID-19 this morning.

TOP Media stated, "Bitto was informed on the 29th after his schedule ended that he was a close contact of a confirmed case and underwent testing. On the morning of the 30th (today), he was confirmed positive. Artists, staff, and employees who overlapped or had contact with Bitto are undergoing COVID testing, and the agency will take quarantine measures according to the health authorities' guidelines."

They also announced that UP10TION will cancel all future schedules.

Regarding music show appearances, they said, "We sincerely apologize to broadcasting personnel and related staff for proceeding with broadcast activities without realizing that Bitto was a close contact of a confirmed case."

Previously, UP10TION appeared consecutively on MBC's 'Show! Music Core' on the 28th and SBS's 'Inkigayo' on the 29th.

Since typically about ten or more artists promoting comebacks at the same time appear on one episode of a music show, this has caused a ripple effect in the music industry.

To proactively respond to COVID-19, artists and staff who appeared on the same episodes as UP10TION, including CNBLUE, NCT, BTOB 4U, AKMU, TREASURE, aespa, Stray Kids, WOODZ, Natti, Norazo, STAYC, BLING BLING, as well as MCs and related staff, are undergoing diagnostic testing.

SBS also stated, "We have informed all (Inkigayo) performers and staff of the situation and are currently reviewing CCTV footage to identify all movement paths and close contacts," and are taking measures accordingly.

There is also a possibility of disruptions to schedules in the music and broadcasting industries.

SBS MTV announced that the live broadcast of the music program 'The Show' scheduled for the 1st of next month will be canceled. SBS MTV explained, "Considering that most artists share overlapping music show routes, we decided to cancel the broadcast to protect artists and staff."

KBS stated that although UP10TION did not appear on last Friday's broadcast of 'Music Bank,' they are identifying performers who overlapped in movement paths through other music show appearances.

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