Over 30 Confirmed Cases in Popular Culture Sector Over Ten Days... Group Infections Cause Concern

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] During the Lunar New Year holiday, COVID-19 cases have been continuously reported in the popular culture industry, putting group activities on red alert.

According to health authorities on the 1st, many workers in the popular culture industry tested positive for COVID-19 and began self-quarantine.

On the same day, the agency Woollim Entertainment announced, "Drippin boy group members Hwang Yunseong and Joo Changwook tested positive in additional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests conducted on the 31st of last month." Previously, members Cha Junho and Lee Hyup of the group had also tested positive.

BTS also experienced infections within the group. On January 31, their agency Big Hit Music announced that following Suga and RM who tested positive last month, Jimin was also confirmed to have COVID-19.

The agency stated, "Jimin visited the hospital emergency room with mild sore throat and abdominal pain symptoms, underwent PCR and detailed tests, and underwent surgery in the early morning."

BTS is currently on a long-term break after their concert in Los Angeles (LA), USA last month, and the agency explained that Jimin had no contact with other members.

The female group BBYB, scheduled to re-debut this month, all tested positive. Their agency Big Planet Made confirmed that after Umji and Eunha, SinB also tested positive.

Photo by Big Planet Made

BBYB is a group formed by members Umji, SinB, and Eunha after the disbandment of the group GFriend, and they planned to release their first album and re-debut on the 9th, but it seems inevitable that their schedule will be disrupted.

COVID-19 positive news among singers has continued around the Lunar New Year holiday. In the past ten days, over 30 people including singers Hyolyn, Kwon Eunbi, The Boyz members Younghoon, Eric, Ju Haknyeon, Hyunjae, Super Junior's Eunhyuk, WINNER's Lee Seunghoon, WEi members Kim Donghan, Yoo Yongha, Kang Seokhwa, and others have tested positive in large numbers, raising red flags. In addition, actors such as Lee Sangyoon and Park Juhyun also reported positive cases.

An agency official said, "Since groups often travel together and stay in the same spaces, cluster infections are continuing. Although we conduct self-diagnostic kit tests before schedules and strictly follow personal quarantine measures, due to the frequent contact with people in their work, it is difficult to trace the infection routes. With performances and events scheduled for February and March, we are worried and believe extra caution is necessary."

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