K-pop boy band NCT’s Mark and members of girl groups Cosmic Girls and Cignature tested positive for Covid-19 as South Korea experiences a surge in cases due to the Omicron BA.5 subvariant.
“NCT’s Mark was confirmed with Covid-19 today (25th),” SM Entertainment announced.
It explained that “Mark felt symptoms of abnormal condition this morning, so he immediately conducted a rapid antigen test and was confirmed with Covid-19.”
“Mark has completed the third round of the Covid-19 vaccine, and immediately suspended all schedules and is under self-isolation and home treatment according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities,” the agency said.
As a result, the agency said, NCT Dream’s second solo concert “The Dream Show 2: In A Dream” scheduled on July 29 to 31 will be held with six members excluding Mark.
“We strictly follow quarantine guidelines, and we will do our best to focus on recovery, considering the health and safety of our artists as our top priority,” it said.
Cosmic Girls
Before Mark, girl group Cosmic Girls (WJSN) members Exy and Yeoreum tested positive for Covid-19 on July 24, according to Starship Entertainment, their agency.
“Exy and Yeoreum tested positive in the self-diagnosis kit test preemptively conducted to attend the schedule on the 24th, so they immediately went to the hospital and performed a rapid antigen test and PCR test, and were confirmed with Covid-19,” the agency said.
It added, “Exy and Yeoreum have completed up to the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and currently have no symptoms other than mild sore throat and low fever, and are being treated at home according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities.”
“Except for Exy and Yeoreum, all Cosmic Girls members and staff underwent rapid antigen testing, and all of them tested negative,” the agency said.
This is Exy’s second time to test positive for Covid-19. She tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time last March 2.
Cignature
In addition, two more members of girl group Cignature tested positive for the virus.
J9 Entertainment announced that Cignature members Belle and Semi tested positive for Covid-19 through a rapid antigen test held on July 24.
It said Belle and Semi have no symptoms and are focusing on self-isolation and home treatment.
Last July 19, Cignature members Chaesol, Seline, Chloe and Dohee tested positive for Covid-19.
South Korea recorded 35,883 new Covid-19 cases on July 25 from 65,433 on July 24 with a daily average for the past week of 65,655.