Covid in K-pop: Members of Astro, BTOB, Seventeen, and more idols test positive
The ongoing pandemic is not really causing any longstanding harm to K-pop idols but testing positive for Covid-19 leads to quarantine and many new idols are reporting falling sick which in turn leads to cancellation of their upcoming activities. Over the last few days of March 2022, four new members of the 13 member boy group Seventeen have tested positive for the virus. After members Hoshi, Wonwoo, and, Vernon, Seventeen’s leader S.Coups, DK, Seungkwan, and The8 all reported testing positive for Covid.
Now, becoming the eighth and ninth members to test positive for Covid, Jun and Joshua fall sick. Not only Seventeen, but Astro is also greatly suffering due to Covid-19. With members Moonbin and Sanha test positive for Covid-19, the group risks canceling their much-anticipated fan meeting that would have celebrated the group’s sixth anniversary since their debut. Former label mates, BTOB’s Hyunsik and solo singer HyunA also reported testing positive for the virus adding to the worry of fans.
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Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha cancel all activities
In their official statement, Fantagio Entertainment, the label that manages the activities of Astro stated that Moonbin and Sanha of the group had tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their sub-unit comeback. Moonbin & Sanha were scheduled to make a comeback with their second mini-album, ‘Refuge’ that will be released on March 15. The label reported that after Moonbin felt mild symptoms of Covid-19 he took a preemptive test using a self-test kit that initially rendered a negative result.
Moonbin still felt symptoms of cold and thus underwent an antigen test alongside a PCR test which rendered a positive result. Due to this, Sanha who was in close contact with Moonbin also took a test using a self-test kit. He too received a false negative at first but a PCR test confirmed him to be Covid-19 positive. Fantagio stated that since both members are currently focussed on their recovery, they will be resting and thus cancel their upcoming schedules.
While both members do not have any major symptoms other than Moobin’s mild cold. While Astro’s Moonbin and Sanha are sick due to Covid, member MJ is also currently on a hiatus due to his health complications which leave the group with three members, Jinjin, Rocky, and Eunwoo. The label also announce that Astro's upcoming fan meeting, 'Astro Aroha Festival: Gate 6' that celebrates their sixth anniversary slated for March 13 has been postponed to April 9.
Jun and Joshua of Seventeen test positive
Now, nine out of Seventeen’s 13 members have tested positive for Covid-19 making Jun and Joshua the latest victims of the virus from the group. Starting off with Hoshi, Wonwoo, and Vernon who first reported testing positive for the Coronavirus weeks ago, fans were shocked to find out that leader S.Coups alongside members DK, Seunkwan, and The8 (Minghao) had all tested positive for Covid-19 back to back.
On March 8, Pledis Entertainment, the label that manages the activities of Seventeen reported that Jun and Joshua were the two newest members of the group to test positive. The label reported that Joshua took both a self-test examination as well as a PCR test for the virus on March 7 which rendered him a positive result.
Similarly, Jun also took a rapid antigen test as well as a PCR test that rendered him a positive result as well. Since both members are not exhibiting any symptoms, they have resorted to quarantine and self-treatment and will take a temporary hiatus from the activities of Seventeen. With this, the only members of Seventeen to test negative now are Woozi, Mingyu, Jeonghan, and Dino.
BTOB’s Hyunsik and soloist HyunA falls sick
Former Cube Entertainment artist HyunA also tests positive for Covid-19 on the same day as Cube’s boy group, BTOB’s Hyunsik. On March 8, Cube Entertainment announced that Lim Hyunsik who had conducted a Covid-19 examination using a self-test kit before one of his upcoming schedules had tested positive for Covid. Soon after that, he conducted a PCR test that rendered him a positive result. Since Hyunsik had already completed the third dose of his Covid-19 vaccination, he is currently suspending all schedules and taking necessary measures according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities despite showing no symptoms.
On the other hand, P Nation’s solo singer HyunA (Hyun Ah) was also diagnosed with Coronavirus. The announcement from her label stated that after suffering from health complications like fever and cold, HyunA underwent a PCR test as well as a rapid antigen test that declared that she was Covid-19 positive. The label reported that HyunA, who has completed the second dose of her vaccination has gone on immediate hiatus from her upcoming schedules to focus on her recovery via self-treatment.