Covid in K-pop: Enhypen Sunoo, Seventeen Wonwoo, 2AM Seulong among 19 idols to fall sick
It looks like all those who thought that the respite we got from the Covid-19 outbreak in the K-pop industry in the previous week would last were wrong. After almost 50 idols tested positive since January 19, in February we only got recovery news. All YG artists, Kep1er members, BTS’ Jimin, Brave Girls’ Yuna and more shared that they were on the path to recovery. Unfortunately, since the second week of February, 19 idols have fallen victim to Omicron, the new strain of the virus. And the latest are Itzy's Lia, Seventeen’s Wonwoo, 2AM’s Seulong and Enhypen’s Sunoo.
With the Omicron outbreak in the new year not being considered lethal, the social distancing guidelines were quite lax as idols were allowed to continue with their scheduled gigs at crowded places. After 50 idols tested positive and the cases in Seoul rose to 20k in one day, the government made the social distancing measures stricter, however, since it is not a complete lockdown, idols have continued to get infected as they carry on with their promotional activities.
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Sunoo, Wonwoo and Seulong get Covid-19
On February 11, Belift Lab announced that Enhypen’s Sunoo had gotten Covid-19 after he got tested for having a fever. At the moment he only has a cough and sore throat. The rest of the members tested negative but all of Enhypen went into quarantine. Fans are disheartened as this means Sunoo had to postpone his first gig as a DJ for the EBS radio show ‘Listen’ from February 13 to 20. Previously, in September 2021, all of Enhypen except Sunoo had tested positive.
On early February 12, Pledis shared that Seventeen’s Wonwoo had tested positive after getting a sore throat and mild fever. Hoshi was the only member who had come in close contact and had taken a self-test and rapid antigen test which were negative. However, he still took a PCR test and is waiting for the results. Both Wonwoo and Hoshi have canceled their appearance for the ‘Attacca’ Release Online Event and updates on their future activities will be given later.
On February 11, we had got the news that 2AM’s Jo Kwon had tested positive which had led to the group postponing their first concert in nine years on February 12 and 13. Well, on the day that would have been day 1 of their concert, it was then announced that Lim Seulong became the second member to test positive. His agency, Jellyfish shared that he had even taken the third booster shot and had no symptoms.
UPDATE: Jinwoon becomes the third 2AM member to test positive for Covid-19 on February 12.
Total of 19 idols test positive in February week 2
Itzy's Lia also tested positive and so the group had to postpone their third anniversary live. Youngbin, Taewoo, Donghyuk and Siwoo, four members of upcoming boy group BLANK2Y who were preparing for their debut in the first half of 2022 also tested positive on February 12. T1419’s Gunwoo became the second member to get Covid-19 days after Sian recovered. Kim Jong-kook became the fourth ‘Running Man’ co-star to test positive but is healthy enough to continue his strict workout routine while in quarantine.
Epik High’s Tablo also tested positive on February 9 which has led to all activities for the group’s upcoming album being postponed or canceled. Even DAY6’s Wonpil who was preparing for his solo debut tested positive on the day of his album release that was February 7 and postponed all activities. On the same day, JUST B’s Geonu and Sangwoo along with JM and Lim Jimin got the virus. And before them, ex-TVXQ star Kim Junsu also got Covid-19 after a co-star in his musical ‘Excalibur’ tested positive on February 5.