K-pop stars who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the last two weeks have recovered but new cases have been confirmed as the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to infect people in South Korea.
YG Entertainment announced on Feb. 3 that the five members iKON, four members of Treasure and one member of WINNER have been cured of COVID-19 and were released from isolation.
They are iKON’s Chanwoo, Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunheong, Kim Donghyuk and Koo Jun-hoe; Treasure’s Choi Hyun-suk, Junkyu, Mashiho and Yoshi; and WINNER’s Lee Seunghoon.
“Those who have been receiving home treatment for a while met the criteria for lifting the quarantine as of 12 noon recently or yesterday (Feb. 2), respectively, according to the health authorities' judgment that there is no risk of further transmission,” it said.
It added, “All members of each group did not show any special symptoms during the quarantine period, and it was confirmed that they are in very good physical condition. With the number of new COVID-19 confirmed not only in Korea but also around the world, we are prioritizing the safety of our artists and employees more than ever.”
“We would be grateful if you could support WINNER, iKON, and Treasure who will come back with a healthy image,” it said.
Meanwhile, Oui Entertainment, the agency of K-pop boy band WEi, also issued a notice to say that members Kim Dong-han, Yoo Yong-ha and Kang Seok-hwa have also recovered from COVID-19.
“We would like to inform you that as of noon today (Feb. 3), WEi's Kim Dong-han , Yoo Yong-ha, and Kang Seok-hwa were released from quarantine under the clinical judgment of the health authorities and returned to their daily lives,” the agency said.
On the other hand, more K-pop idols have tested positive for COVID-19. They are Kim Jae-hwan of the former boy band Wanna One, Sian of T1419 and Cherry Bullet’s Bora.
On Feb. 3, South Korea recorded 22,907 new cases, a new daily record, to bring the total confirmed cases to 907,214. Omicron variant has become the dominant strain in South Korea.
Since Jan. 19, at least 47 Korean stars have tested positive for COVID-19.
They are BTS’ Jimin; Momoland’s JooE; Drippin’s Hwang Yun-seong, Joo Chang-uk, Lee Hyeop and Cha Jun-ho; actor Lee Sang-yoon; Korean drama “Mouse” star Park Ju-hyun; Oh My Girl’s Yubin; Viviz’s SinB, Eunha and Umji (all former members of GFriend); Brave Girls’ Yuna; and comedian Jo Se-ho.
Other Korean stars who have COVID-19 are The Boyz’s Hyunjae, Ju Haknyeon, Younghoon Eric and Sangyeon; Kep1er’s Kim Chae-hyun and Seo Young-eun; former IZ*ONE member Kwon Eun-bi; Weeekly’s Jaehee; former Sistar member Hyolyn; Super Junior’s Eunhyuk; EPEX’s A-Min, Wish and Jeff; and musical actors Seo Kyung-soo, Park Kang-hyun and Jeong Sun Ah.