Former K-pop girl group IZ*ONE member Jang Won-young, 16, and trot singer Song Ga-in, 34, tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Starship Entertainment announced on Aug. 29 that Jang Won-young tested positive for COVID-19.
The agency said Jang Won-young and An Yu-jin, another former member of IZ*ONE, were informed that their movements overlapped with an external staff who was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Upon receiving the notice, the two stars immediately underwent PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. “Based on the results on the morning of Aug. 29, An Yu-jin tested negative and Jang Won-young was confirmed to have COVID-19,” Starship said.
It said “Jang Won-young is taking necessary measures according to the guidelines of quarantine authorities. An Yu-jin tested negative but she immediately stopped all her schedules as a preemptive response and started self-quarantine.” IZ*ONE disbanded last April.
In addition, trot singer Song Ga-in also tested positive for COVID-19. Her agency, PocketDol Studio, said on Aug. 29, "Song Ga-in was not feeling well on Aug. 28 so she went to the hospital for a check-up and was diagnosed with COVID-19."
"This afternoon, according to the guidelines of quarantine authorities, she is moving to an isolation facility and taking necessary measures," it said.
The two are the latest stars who tested positive for the virus in the Korean entertainment industry as South Korea grapples with a rising number of daily COVID-19 cases.
On Aug. 29, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 1,619 new COVID-19 cases to bring the total confirmed cases in Korea to 248,568.