Two more K-pop idols managed by YG Entertainment agency have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the Korean entertainment industry is experiencing a rise in cases.
YG Entertainment announced that iKON’s Ju-ne (real name: Koo Jun-hoe) and Treasure’s Yoshi, 21, on Jan. 25 have been confirmed to have COVID-19. They are the fifth and sixth YG Entertainment artists to catch COVID-19 in three days.
"iKON's Koo Jun-hoe has been further classified as a confirmed case of COVID-19 following fellow members Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunhyeong, and Kim Donghyuk,” according to the agency.
It said Jun-hoe received a negative result in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on Jan. 22. However, on Jan. 24, he experienced mild sore throat symptoms and undertook a retest and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Jan. 25.
YG Entertainment also said Treasure’s Yoshi “also tested positive for COVID-19 on the same day so he is scheduled to self-isolate and receive treatment at home."
On July 13 and 16 last year, Treasure’s Doyoung and So Jung-hwan tested positive for COVID-19, respectively.
Jun-hoe and Yoshi have been fully vaccinated and their cases are breakthrough infection, or COVID-19 infection of a fully vaccinated person.
On Jan. 23, iKON’s Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunheong and Kim Donghyuk tested positive for COVID-19 followed by WINNER’s Lee Seunghoon on Jan. 24.
"As the number of confirmed cases has occurred, we have taken preemptive measures that exceed the guidelines of the quarantine authorities,” said YG Entertainment.
It added, "Irrespective of whether or not there is close contact, we are continuously conducting COVID-19 testing of our artists and nearby staff while completing in-house quarantine and disinfection."
Other K-pop idols who tested positive COVID-19 in the last seven days are EPEX’s A-Min, Wish and Jeff tested on Jan. 19 and Super Junior’s Eunhyuk on Jan. 20. The Boyz’s Eric was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Jan. 24.