Three stars of the popular Korean entertainment show “Running Man” tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Kim Jong-kook, 45; Yang Se-chan, 35; and Jee Seok-jin, 55, were announced to have COVID-19 on Feb. 10.
"Kim Jong-kook has been diagnosed with COVID-19,” said Turbo JK Company, Kim Jong-kook’s agency.
It added that he experienced mild cold symptoms on Feb. 9 and used a self-test kit and the result came out positive. He underwent PCR test which finally confirmed that he got the virus.
Kim Jong-kook is fully vaccinated and currently has no major health problems. He has stopped all activities due to the positive diagnosis.
In addition, Yang Se-chan also tested positive for COVID-19. His agency, SM C&C, said on Feb. 10 that after becoming a close contact of a confirmed case, the comedian tested negative in a PCR test and was in self-quarantine. He underwent a second PCR test, which came out positive.
“Yang Se-chan has completed the second vaccination and is in good health. Currently, he is resting at home," said his agency. His brother, comedian Yang Se-hyung, previously tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Jee Seok-jin tested positive through the result of the self-test kit. He underwent PCR testing and is waiting for the result.
They are the latest Korean stars to test positive for COVID-19. On Feb. 9, it was announced that “Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun and his wife, actress Lee Min-jung, tested positive for COVID-19.
The surge in COVID-19 cases in South Korea continued amid the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, which is now the dominant strain in the country with a population of more than 51 million.
South Korea recorded 54,122 new COVID-19 cases on Feb. 10 to bring the total confirmed cases to 1,185,361, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
More than 60 Korean stars have tested positive for COVID-19 since Jan. 19.
Last Feb. 7, K-pop group DAY6’s Wonpil and JUST B members Geonu and Sangwoo tested positive.
Singer Kim Junsu and actress Park So-dam also got the virus. JUST B members Lim Jimin and JM tested positive for COVID-19 last Feb. 5.
Among those who have recovered from COVID-19 are The Boyz members, Eric, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Ju Haknyeon and Sangyeon; BTS’ Jimin; Kep1er members Chaeyun and Youngeun; iKON’s Chanwoo, Kim Jinhwan, Song Yunheong, Kim Donghyuk and Koo Jun-hoe; Treasure’s Choi Hyun-suk, Junkyu, Mashiho and Yoshi; WINNER’s Lee Seunghoon; and WEi members Kim Dong-han, Yoo Yong-ha and Kang Seok-hwa.
Other Korean stars who tested positive for COVID-19 are Fromis 9’s Seoyeon (Feb. 4), CIX’s Bae Jin-young (Feb. 4), JUST B’s Lim Jimin and JM (Feb. 5), TV personality Jun Hyun-moo (Feb. 4), comedian Yang Se-hyung, Korean actor Jung Il-woo (Feb. 3), musical actors Lee Choong-joo, Park Kang-hyun and Ock Joo-hyun, Kim Jae-hwan of the former boy band Wanna One, Sian of T1419 and Cherry Bullet’s Bora.
Also testing positive for COVID-19 are 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, 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.