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Covid in K-pop: Did BTOB's Peniel test positive on his birthday?

We also had BTOB’s Hyunsik getting diagnosed with Covid-19 a day after his birthday on March 7

After hindering huge gigs of K-pop acts, Covid-19 has now affected BTOB’s Peniel on his birthday. Ever since the Omicron outbreak in mid-January in K-pop, tens of idols were testing positive every day. In the last 30 days, more than 120 idols got Covid-19. Blackpink’s Rosé had to sit out of YSL’s show for Paris Fashion Week while Loona and WJSN’s points will be affected in the survival show ‘Queendom 2’. NU’EST’s Minhyun got Covid-19 days before their disbandment and last farewell album. We even had Tempest and Cravity postponing their debut and comeback due to all the members falling sick. 

The same thing happened with BTOB as leader Eunkwang got Covid-19 days before their first full comeback since 2018 when their military enlistment era began. However, they continued with the release of ‘Be Together’ while Eunkwang sat out of promotions till he recovered. Unfortunately, on March 8, another member, Hyunsik tested positive, a day after his birthday on March 7. They are the second and third BTOB members to get infected following Minhyuk who had tested positive back in July 2021. 

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Peniel tests positive with a self-test kit

But that doesn’t seem to be the end as another member has possibly contracted the virus. On March 10, while Melodies (BTOB’s fandom) were celebrating Peniel’s birthday, his label, Cube shared sad news. Peniel had tested positive with a self-test kit during a mandatory check-up on March 9. He had immediately gone to a hospital and had taken a PCR test whose results they were waiting for at the moment.

All of the other members will also get tested except for Eunkwang. Cube explained that since it hadn’t been a month since he had tested positive, the results could be faulty. Instead, the BTOB leader will be following the social distancing guidelines, monitoring for symptoms and taking rapid antigen tests. Schedules of all the members will be updated according to the results.

'Covid you suck'

Shocked fans who were celebrating Peniel’s birthday are now worried and are praying his PCR test comes back negative. One Melody tweeted, “Kinda hurtful thought when the boys are working really hard for everyone's entertainment but end up falling sick due to this f covid. whats more heartbreaking when hyunsik and peniel diagnosed positive on their special day. i just cant 💔😢 health first. take care, boys.” Another fan posted, “Peniel now? It's his birthday today🥲 covid you sucks af.”

One shared, “Hyunsik and Peniel got covid on their birthday. I don't understand anymore 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I hope they're fina and have no symptoms at all.” Another Melody added, “Happy birthday to the coolest beat in the world! Thank you for being there and waiting here with us 💙 you've done so well, we are proud of you!” One fan said, “Happy Birthday peniel! All the best in all aspects of your life! Get well ❤ We love u our best boy.”