K-pop boy band ENHYPEN’s Sunoo has recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while more Korean stars have tested positive.
South Korea is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
On Feb. 16, Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that 90,443 new COVID-19 cases were recorded, the highest daily tally since 2020, from 57,164 new cases on Feb. 15.
Belift Lab, ENHYPEN’s agency, announced on Feb. 16 that “ENHYPEN member Sunoo has made a full recovery from COVID-19 and his quarantine has concluded as of midnight yesterday, Feb 15.”
Sunoo tested positive for COVID-19 last Feb. 10 through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. He was released from isolation in accordance with the seven-day isolation period imposed by health authorities.
“Sunoo has been administering self-treatment at home as per health authority guidelines and has not shown extraordinary symptoms other than symptoms of mild cold. As his quarantine has concluded, SUNOO can resume his activities starting from today, the 16th ,” said Belift Lab.
The agency added, “Members of ENHYPEN, who have been determined by the healthcare authorities as having come in close contact with Sunoo, have been in quarantine until midnight of yesterday, the 15th. None of the members have shown any symptoms and were confirmed as negative on the PCR test they took before the conclusion of their quarantine.”
New positive cases
Meanwhile, more Korean stars have tested positive for COVID-19.
BTS’ V tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 15. Also testing positive are ITZY’s Chaeryeong, AB6IX’s Park Woo-jin, Korean actor Lee Seung-gi, K-pop boy band ATEEZ’s San, BTOB’s Eunkwang, Weeekly’s Lee Soojin, comedian Kim Ji-min, comedian Moon Se-yoon and TV host Kim Seong-joo.
KO Entertainment announced on Feb. 15 that ATEEZ’s San tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 14 and is asymptomatic.
“ATEEZ members Yunho, San, Minai, and Woovoung arrived in Korea on the 12th after receiving a negative PCR test for COVID-19 after their recent world tour performance in the United States. Afterward, through a PCR test conducted by the quarantine procedures, member San tested positive on the afternoon of the 14th and started home treatment. Yunho. Mingi, and Woovoung were notified of final negative results and in self-quarantine according to the guidelines of the quarantine procedures. All ATEEZ members have been vaccinated up to the second vaccine. and San currently has no symptoms,” it said.
After Lia on Feb. 13 and Yeji on Feb. 14, ITZY member Chaeryeong tested positive on Feb. 16.
JYP Entertainment said Chaeyeong self-isolated after getting a negative result in the PCR test on Feb. 12. On the morning of Feb. 15, she tested positive through a self-test kit and a PCR test was conducted, which confirmed that she is positive for COVID-19.
"Chaeryeong has completed the second dose of the vaccine and currently has no symptoms other than cough and headache, and is receiving treatment at home, according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities,” said the agency.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the fans who have shown concerns for our artists’ health and also to the staff members of the health authorities who are working tirelessly to overcome the pandemic.
Since Jan. 19, at least 120 Korean stars, mostly K-pop idols, have tested positive for COVID-19.
Last Feb. 14, upcoming boy band Tempest’s Hanbin, Hyungseop, Hyuk, Eunchan, Lew, Hwarang and Taerae were confirmed to have COVID-19, and boy band Kingdom’s Dann on Feb. 13.
Also testing positive for COVID-19 are CNBLUE’s Yonghwa (Feb. 12); Cravity’s Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin (Feb. 12); BLANK2Y’s Lee Young-bin, Kim Tae-woo, Park Si-woo and Park Dong-hyuk; 2AM’s Jo Kwon, Seulong and Jinwoon; Seventeen’s Wonwoo; T14919’s Gunwoo; Korean TV show “Running Man” star Kim Jong-kook, Yang Se-chan, Jee Seok-jin and Haha; “Squid Game” star Heo Sung-tae; and comedian Kim Jun-ho.
Those who have recovered from COVID-19 are T1419’s Sian; Fromis 9’s Seoyeon; CIX’s Bae Jing-young; JUST B’s Lim Jimin, Geonu, JM and Sangwoo; 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); Momoland’s JooE; and EPEX’s A-Min, Wish, Jeff, Ayden, Yewang and Baekseung.
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; singer Kim Junsu; actress Park So-dam; 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; and musical actors Seo Kyung-soo, Park Kang-hyun and Jeong Sun Ah.