Popular Korean TV entertainer and comedian Yoo Jae-suk, star of the show “Running Man,” tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as South Korea has been experiencing a surge in cases.
Yoo Jae-suk had a meeting with Yoo Hee-yeol, the founder of his agency, Antenna. Yoo Hee-yeol was diagnosed with COVID-19 last Dec. 10.
As a result, Yoo Jae-suk underwent his first polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and was classified for monitoring. A second PCR test was conducted, which confirmed that Yoo Jae-suk had the virus.
Yoo Jae-suk is a case of breakthrough infection as he got his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine last September. Yoo Hee-yeol’s is also a breakthrough infection.
As a result, the filming of “Running Man” on Dec. 13 was conducted without Yoo Jae-suk, who also stars in the shows “Hangout with Yoo” and “You Quiz on the Block.”
His case is the latest COVID-19 breakthrough infection among Korean celebrities including K-pop boy band Super Junior’s Choi Siwon, actors Jung Woo-sung, Go Kyung-pyo and Kim Soo-ro, and “Coffee Prince” actress Yoon Eun-hye. Breakthrough infection is when a fully vaccinated person tests positive for the virus.
In a statement, Antenna said, “Antenna artist Yoo Jae-suk tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of Dec. 13.”
“Yoo Jae-suk had completed the second vaccination at the end of September, and on Dec. 11, after receiving notification of close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, he immediately proceeded with the first PCR test, and was classified as a passive monitoring subject. Afterwards, according to the quarantine guidelines, he was to proceed with the second PCR test on the morning of Dec. 13 and the test result was confirmed,” it said.
Antenna added, “Yoo Jae-suk is currently canceling all schedules and taking necessary measures according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities. In the future, we will do our best to ensure the health and safety of our artists and staff in accordance with the policies of the quarantine authorities.”
On Dec. 13, South Korea recorded 5,817 new COVID-19 cases to bring the total confirmed cases to 523,088.