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https://scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3084995/bts-jungkook-and-three-other-k-pop-stars-test-negative
Lifestyle/ Entertainment

BTS’ Jungkook and three other K-pop stars test negative for Covid-19 after visiting Itaewon, centre of a recent coronavirus outbreak

  • Jungkook, Jaehyun of NCT, Mingyu of Seventeen and Cha Eun-woo of Astro went to a restaurant and two bars in Itaewon on April 25, report says
  • Jungkook ‘deeply reflects on his conduct’ and that ‘this kind of problem will not happen again’, Big Hit Entertainment, agency of BTS, says
Jungkook from BTS.

BTS’ Jungkook and three other K-pop idol singers visited Itaewon, the centre of a recent coronavirus outbreak in Seoul, together late last month but have tested negative for the virus, their agencies said on Monday.

A local internet-based daily reported earlier in the day that Jungkook, Jaehyun of NCT, Mingyu of Seventeen and Cha Eun-woo of Astro went to a restaurant and two different bars on April 25 in Itaewon, Seoul’s most popular nightlife and multicultural neighbourhood, while the country was under relaxed social distancing in response to Covid-19.

Representatives of the four K-pop stars confirmed the visit and apologised for their failure to comply with the social distancing campaign. However, they pointed out that the stars did not visit specific bars and clubs where the cluster infection occurred and tested negative for the virus.

South Korea has seen a spike in the number of new daily infections since a 29-year-old man tested positive following visits to five clubs and bars in Itaewon in early May. A total of 170 people – including club-goers, their family members and colleagues – had tested positive as of Monday.

Jaehyun of NCT tested negative after taking a test on his own initiative, his agency said.
Jaehyun of NCT tested negative after taking a test on his own initiative, his agency said.

Quarantine authorities have asked people who have been to Itaewon and nearby areas from April 24 to May 6 to undergo tests even if they don’t have any symptoms.

Big Hit Entertainment, the agency of BTS, admitted that Jungkook visited the district on April 25, and was tested even though he had no symptoms associated with Covid-19. The 22-year-old tested negative, it added.

“He deeply reflects on his conduct that did not comply with social distancing,” Big Hit said. “We will make sure that this kind of problem will not happen again and apologise for worrying many people, including fans.”

A representative of Cha Eun-woo apologised for the singer having not complied with social distancing.
A representative of Cha Eun-woo apologised for the singer having not complied with social distancing.

SM Entertainment, which manages NCT, also confirmed the news report and said Jathat ehyun tested negative after taking a test on his own initiative.

“Jaehyun regrets his carelessness as he had to refrain from personal meetings during social distancing,” the company said.

Pledis Entertainment and Fantagio, which represent Seventeen and Astro respectively, said their artists spent the night in Itaewon and apologised for not complying with social distancing.

Read the full story at the Korea Times