Covid in K-pop: Kim Jaehwan, Cherry Bullet's Bora, and Momoland's JooE test positive
It is the beginning of the third week since there was a Covid outbreak in the K-pop industry on January 19. 30 idols have tested positive in the last 10 days, and in two weeks the cases have reached 41. In the last 48 hours, we had BTS’ Jimin and half of Drippin getting the virus. Unfortunately, the Omicron outbreak hasn’t stopped, as three more idols have tested positive this week making it a total of 44 cases in the K-pop industry.
With the new Covid variant not being considered lethal yet, social distancing guidelines haven’t been too strict around the world, including South Korea. While there is a curfew, K-pop idols are allowed to continue with their scheduled gigs in crowded places. This has led to reports flooding in every day of at least one K-pop idol testing positive for the virus. The latest happens to be Kim Jaehwan, Cherry Bullet’s Bora, and Momoland’s JooE who tested positive for Covid in the last 24 hours.
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Momoland’s JooE, Cherry Bullet’s Bora and Kim Jaehwan get Covid
On February 1, it was reported that Momoland’s JooE had tested positive for Covid. The group had finally come back after a year with the collaborative track ‘Yummy Yummy Love’ with Natti Natasha. They were promoting it on music banks and other shows. However, their label MLD shared on February 1 that JooE had taken a PCR test as she had a mild fever on January 31. Her test came back positive. Since she had taken her second vaccine dose, has had minor symptoms and is following the guidelines set by authorities.
On early February 2, we then got the news about Cherry Bullet’s Bora testing positive for Covid. The idol had previously gone viral on social media for her caring personality on the K-pop survival show ‘Girls Planet 999’. Unfortunately, Bora had come in close contact with a positive patient during a training session and immediately got tested. Her test came back positive, while members Haeyoon, Jiwon, and Remi tested negative. The PCR test results for Yuju, Chaerin, and May are yet to come. Bora has mild symptoms like sore throat, however, all of Cherry Bullet and the staff are self-quarantining.
The latest person to contract Covid is former Wanna One member and soloist Kim Jaehwan. He had recently released his fourth solo EP and participated in the reunion single of Wanna One. On February 2, he came in close contact with a positive patient and got a PCR test done. His test came back positive but he does not have any symptoms. He has stopped all of his activities and is currently in quarantine.