Three more Korean stars have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Feb. 12 amid a surge in Omicron variant cases in South Korea.
K-pop idols Wonwoo of Seventeen and Gunwoo of T1419, and Korean TV show “Running Man” star Haha have been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Seventeen's Wonwoo
“We would like to provide you with some information on Seventeen member Wonwoo being diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as adjustments in his activities,” announced Pledis Entertainment on Feb. 12.
It said Wonwoo experienced sore throat and mild fever on Feb. 11 and tested positive through a self-test kit. He underwent a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test “and was confirmed with COVID-19 on the morning of Saturday, February 12.”
“Wonwoo is currently not exhibiting any extraordinary symptoms other than a sore throat and mild fever and is administering self-treatment at home,” Pledis Entertainment added.
On the other hand, Seventeen member Hoshi was a close contact of Wonwoo last Feb. 9 and “took both a self-test kit and rapid antigen test which both came back as negative. He also preemptively took a PCR test to ensure the safety of others and is currently waiting for the result.”
As a result, Wonwoo and Hoshi will not be taking part in Seventeen’s “Attacca” release online event that will be held on Feb. 12 “and the following activities for the time being. We will provide you with updates on their future activities.”
Fromis 9’s Seoyeon recovers from COVID-19
Meanwhile, Pledis Entertainment also announced on Feb. 12 that Fromis 9 member “Lee Seoyeon has made a full recovery from COVID-19 and her quarantine has concluded as of noon today.”
“Lee Seoyeon has been administering self-treatment at home as per health authority guidelines and has not shown any symptoms. As her quarantine has concluded, she can resume her activities starting from noon, today,” it added.
T1419’s Gunwoo tests positive
Gunwoo of K-pop boy band T1419 tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 12.
MLD Entertainment, the group’s agency, announced that on Feb. 11, Gunwoo experienced body aches.
“A PCR test was immediately performed and the final result was positive today (Feb. 12). Gunwoo has completed the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. He is being quarantined and treated in accordance with the guidelines of the quarantine authorities,” the agency added.
All other members of T1419 underwent rapid antigen testing and the results were negative for COVID-19.
Sian, a member of T1419 who tested positive for COVID-19 through a rapid antigen test on Feb. 2 and PCR test on Feb. 3, has recovered. The agency said the quarantine period for Sian has been lifted by authorities after determining that there was no concert about the spread of infection.
“Running Man” star Haha confirmed through PCR test
Haha, star of “Running Man,” was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Feb. 12 through a PCR test.
His agency said on Feb. 9, he tested negative through a self-test kit but on Feb. 10, he experienced fever and canceled his schedule and underwent self-isolation.
He tested positive through a rapid antigen test on Feb. 11 and his PCR test, the gold standard in determining COVID-19 infection, came out positive on Feb. 12. It said Haha is fully vaccinated.
Haha is the fourth “Running Man” member to test positive for COVID-19 recently after Kim Jong-kook, Yang Se-chan and Jee Seok-jin.
CIX’s Bae Jin-young recovers
Bae Jin-young, member of K-pop boy band CIX, has been cured of COVID-19, according to agency C9 Entertainment.
“CIX member Bae Jin-young, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 4th , was cured as of today and the quarantine has ended.
It said he “did not show any symptoms other than mild cold symptoms during his home treatment period and was released from quarantine after the health authorities judged that there was no concern about the spread of the infection. Bae Jin-young is recovering his condition while he is currently resting.”
From Jan. 19 to Feb. 12, at least 82 Korean stars, including K-pop idols, have tested positive for COVID-19.
South Korea reported 54,918 new COVID-19 cases on Feb. 12, up from 53,926 new cases on Feb. 11, to bring the total confirmed cases to 1,294,205, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
On Feb. 11, K-pop boy band ENHYPEN’s Sunoo, “Squid Game” star Heo Sung-tae, 2AM’s Jo Kwon and comedian Kim Jun-ho were announced to be positive for COVID-19.
In addition to Sian and Seoyeon, others 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; WEi members Kim Dong-han, Yoo Yong-ha and Kang Seok-hwa; Cherry Bullet’s Bora; P1Harmony’s Intak; actor Jung Il-woo; Viviz’s SinB, Eunha and Umji (all former members of GFriend); and Momoland’s JooE.
Other Korean stars who tested positive for COVID-19 since Jan. 19 are “Squid Game” star Lee Byung-hun and his wife, actress Lee Min-jung; actor Lee Ji-hoon; Epik High’s Tablo; DAY6’s Wonpil; JUST B members Geonu and Sangwoo; singer Kim Junsu; actress Park So-dam; JUST B’s Lim Jimin and JM (Feb. 5); TV personality Jun Hyun-moo (Feb. 4); comedian Yang Se-hyung; musical actors Lee Choong-joo, Park Kang-hyun and Ock Joo-hyun; and Kim Jae-hwan of the former boy band Wanna One.
Also testing positive for COVID-19 are 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; Brave Girls’ Yuna; 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.