Covid in K-pop: BTOB Eunkwang contracts virus, Ateez San positive for second time
With the increasing cases of Covid-19, multiple K-pop idols are dodging bullets as they take their PCR Tests with their music-related schedules going on in full swing. San of Ateez and Eunkwang of BTOB have now become the latest idols from the K-pop industry to test positive for the coronavirus. Ateez's San, alongside his eight-member boy group, just completed their 2022 US Tour and decorated it with a thrilling interview with the Grammy Museum. Now as of February 15, it has been reported that San who was on his way back home from the United States has tested positive for Covid-19 a second time.
Not San alone but fellow Mnet ‘Kingdom: The Legendary War’ contestant, Eunkwang of BTOB has also tested positive on the same day. BTOB was ready to make their first comeback as a full group with ‘Be Together’ on February 21. This will be the group's first OT6 album since 2018 after the members started enlisting in the military for their mandatory service. Now, with Eunkwang testing positive for Covid-19, fans wonder if the group will be able to make their comeback after all.
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Ateez San tests positive for Covid-19 again
On February 15, it was reported that after the completion of their 2022 US Tour titled ‘The Fellowship: Beginning of the End’, Ateez members were returning back to South Korea. Four out of the eight members of Ateez namely, San, Yunho, Wooyoung, and Mingi were on their way back home after the completion of their tour. As a precaution, all four of them got a mandatory PCR Test done where Wooyoung, Yunho, and Mingi tested negative but San tested positive for Covid-19.
KQ Entertainment, the label that manages Ateez reported that even though San had tested positive, he did not show any symptoms for Covid-19 and all four members were quarantining and self-isolating according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities. Back in July of 2021, San had tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time and this news marks his second time testing positive for the virus.
Will BTOB be able to make a comeback?
Seo Eunkwang, the leader of BTOB also shared concerning news with fans as he also reported testing positive for the coronavirus. On February 15, Cube Entertainment, the label that manages BTOB, announced that Eunkwang has tested positive for Covid-19. The label reported that after experiencing mild symptoms like that of cold, Eunkwang got himself tested with a self-test kit first that resulted negative at first. Still unsure about his result, Eunkwang preemptively performed a mandatory PCR test which came out positive.
All other BTOB members who were in close contact with Eunkwang as they prepared for their first comeback as a full group since 2018 have also taken PCR tests and are currently awaiting results. Cube Entertainment announced that Eunkwang had completed two doses of the Covid vaccine and has currently suspended all schedules as he takes the necessary precautions according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities.
As Eunkwang tested positive for Covid so close to the release of BTOB’s third regular album, ‘Be Together’, fans wonder if the group will be able to make their comeback on February 21 as planned or if the schedule will be postponed.