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Is Cheol Covid-19 positive? Boy band SEVENTEEN skips KBS Song Festival 2020 and sparks concern over test results

One fan said: 'They recently got tested for Covid and all the members' test results came in negative but we still haven’t received Cheol results'

KBS Song Festival aka ‘KBS Gayo Daechukje Connect: 2020’ is on every K-Pop fans' mind. Hosted by the Korean Broadcasting System, the annual music ceremony started as an award show in 1965 but was discontinued in 2006, followed by an exception in 2013. This year — amid the global pandemic — KBS Gayo Daechukje Connect 2020 is being held without any audience to practice safety precautions.

Sadly, one of the favorite groups, the boy band SEVENTEEN could not be a part of the celebration. In an official statement released by Pledis Entertainment, the group said they had to undergo Covid-19 testing at the last moment. A translation of their message via Soompi read: "Hello. This is Pledis Entertainment. The hair salon visited by SEVENTEEN on December 16 was also visited by someone who tested positive for Covid-19. We were informed today that this confirmed case visited at the same time as SEVENTEEN and that some paths crossed."

"Health authorities did not officially request for SEVENTEEN to receive testing, but for the safety of the artists and staff, all members received Covid-19 testing today as a preemptive measure, and they are self-quarantining until the test results are released. We apologize for causing concern to fans, and we will do our best for the health and safety of all of our artists. Thank you."

In a statement to SPOTV News, SM revealed, "It became known today that NCT’s makeup staff crossed paths with a confirmed case at the hair salon. Their KBS Song Festival prerecording scheduled for today was inevitably canceled in order for all of the members to receive Covid-19 testing as a preemptive measure. The status of future scheduled activities will be discussed depending on the test results."

Catch the official statement here:

No sooner did the news spread like wildfire on the Internet, but it also caused much worry among fans and they were particularly concerned about S Coups aka Choi Seung-Cheol as his results hadn't been released. "Pledis said that they took the results as soon as possible but because they took it on different clinics, Cheol's results haven't come yet. So Seventeen won't be attending Song Festival as they will wait for Seungcheol's test result," one tweet read.

Another said, "I can't imagine how the 12 of them we're waiting for Cheol then decided not to perform because the result wasn't out yet :( they really won't perform again lacking any member esp Cheol." The user added, "I hope Cheol won't blame his self tho. Everything will be fine, Cheol. carats wants you and the members to be safe first, too. I know you wouldn't read this but we love you and it's really okay you didn't perform. rest well love."

Many others slammed trolls who poked fun at Cheol. "Let's all hope for a negative covid test result for Cheol. And while waiting, please shower all the members, especially Cheol, with encouraging and comforting words. They probably are anxious about the entire situation. Let's be there for them and give them reassurance," one tweet read and another said, "It's really upsetting to see people take Covid and Seungchol as a joke... this is serious. Please don't try making memes out of it because it's insensitive to not only Cheol but SEVENTEEN as well."

One asked, "Wait... WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?? IS CHEOL OKAY??" Another user replied, "They recently got tested for Covid and all the members' test results came in negative but we still haven’t received Cheol results."

As of now, the results haven't been made public yet, but we will update this space with the latest news soon.

KBS Song Festival 'Gayo Daechukje' 2020 was scheduled for December 18 at 6.30 pm (ID/TH Standard Time) or 7.30 pm (PH/SG/MY Standard Time).