Seventeen’s Hoshi, Kim Tae-ri, SHINee’s Key test positive for COVID-19; Vernon recovers
More Korean celebrities have tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as South Korea recorded more than 198,000 new cases in a single day due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The latest Korean stars to be diagnosed with COVID-19 are Seventeen’s Hoshi, Korean drama “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” stars Kim Tae-ri and Choi Hyun-wook, WJSN’s Exy and the cast of the TV show “Amazing Saturday.”
Seventeen
Pledis Entertainment announced on March 3 about Hoshi’s positive diagnosis.
“Hoshi was tested positive on the self-test kit after experiencing a sore throat and cough since Wednesday, March 2. He promptly took a PCR test and was confirmed with COVID-19 on the morning of Thursday, March 3. Hoshig is currently not exhibiting symptoms other than a sore throat and cough and is administering self-treatment at home,” it said.
The agency said, “All Seventeen members other than Wonwoo and Vernon all preemptively took self-test kits on Wednesday, the 2nd, which all the results came back as negative and are not exhibiting any symptoms.”
“Therefore, it would be difficult for Hoshi to take part in Seventeen’s activities for a while. We will provide you with updates on his activity resumption,” it added.
Before it announced Hoshi’s diagnosis, Pledis Entertainment said Seventeen member Vernon has recovered from COVID-19.
Vernon was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Feb. 25 after undergoing a PCR test.
“We would like to inform you that Seventeen member Vernon has made a full recovery from COVID-19 and his quarantine has concluded as of today,” Pledis Entertainment said.
It added, “Vernon has been administering self-treatment at home as per health authority guidelines and has not shown any extraordinary symptoms. As his quarantine has concluded, he can resume his activities starting from today.”
Before Hoshi and Vernon, Seventeen’s Wonwoo tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb. 12 and recovered on Feb. 18.
“Twenty-Five Twenty-One”
The agency of “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” star Kim Tae-ri belatedly announced on March 2 that the actress tested positive for COVID-19.
It said Kim Tae-ri tested positive through a self-test kit before the filming of the drama and underwent a PCR test. Her PCR test result on Feb. 26 came out negative.
Actor Choi Hyun-wook also tested positive for COVID-19, according to his agency on March 3.
Their co-stars, Nam Joo-hyuk and Bona, tested negative.
WJSN’s Exy
Girl group WJSN’s Exy has been diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 2, according to her agency.
She earlier tested positive through a self-test kit on March 1 and received a PCR test. Exy is fully vaccinated and received her booster shot. She currently has cough and mild sore throat, and is being treated at home.
“Amazing Saturday” cast
Meanwhile, six cast members of the TV show “Amazing Saturday” have tested positive for COVID-19.
They are SHINee’s Key, comedian Park Na-rae, rapper Han-hae, Boom, Nucksal and Kim Dong-hyun.
At least 184 Korean celebrities, mostly K-pop idols, have tested positive for COVID-19 since Jan. 19.