Since the pandemic hit the world, just like every other industry, K-pop had to face multiple restrictions including no live audience on music shows, no in-person concerts, and much more. With the world steadily recovering from COVID-19, it’s natural for the K-pop industry to do the same as well.
Red Velvet’s Irene, Joy, and Yeri
On March 14, 2022, SM Entertainment announced Red Velvet will be postponing its long-awaited offline concert, The ReVe Festival 2022: Prologue, due to members Irene, Joy, and Yeri testing positive for COVID-19.
So far there have been no more updates regarding the member’s health, but Yeri assured fans via Bubble that she is upset because she will be unable to meet fans but otherwise is doing fine.
OH MY GIRL Arin
On March 14, 2022, OH MY GIRL’s Arin was also revealed to have tested COVID-19 positive.
The official WM Entertainment statement read:
“Hello, this is WM Entertainment. We would like to inform you that OH MY GIRl’s Arin has tested positive for COVID-19. She tested positive after conducting a self-diagnosis kit on March 13 and immediately proceeded with a PCR test, which confirmed positive on the morning of March 14. She has completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and has suspended all scheduled activities in order to take the necessary measures according to the guidelines of the quarantine authorities. We will do our best to support the artists so that they can focus on treatment as the safety and health of our artists are our top priority. Thank you.”
Pentagon’s Yeo One and Wooseok
On the same day as WM Entertainment, Cube Entertainment also released a statement announcing Pentagon members Yeo One and Wooseaok have tested positive for COVID-19.
The statement read:
“Hello, this is Cube Entertainment. Today on March 14th, Pentagon members Yeo One and Wooseok tested positive for COVID-19. Yeo One and Wooseok turned out positive after using the self-test kit. Following the PCR tests, they were confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the morning of March 14th. Yeo One and Wooseok are twice vaccinated and they stopped all activities. They are currently following the measures directed by the health care authorities. As a result, Woosek will sit out the filming of KBS2’s ‘Immortal Songs’ episode scheduled to take place today. We will continue to do our best to ensure our artists’ health and safety by adhering to the health authorities’ guidelines. Thank you.”
NMIXX’s Sullyoon and Jinni
On March 14, 2022, JYP Entertainment informed fans NMIXX’s Sullyoon was experiencing a sore throat and decided to take the COVID-19 test. Unfortunately, she tested positive.
This also led to other members taking the test. Though all the members tested negative back then, on March 17 JYP Entertainment announced after showing similar symptoms as Sullyoon, Jinni took a self-diagnosis kit and did end up testing positive.
EXO Kai
Red Velvet members aren’t the only SM Entertainment artists who are suffering from COVID-19 right now. On March 15, 2022, it was revealed EXO’s main dancer, Kai also tested positive.
The official SM Entertainment reads:
“Hello. This is SM Entertainment. EXO’s Kai was diagnosed with COVID-19 on March 14. Kai has completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and is currently receiving treatment at home following the guidelines of the quarantine authorities and all his schedules have been suspended. We will strictly follow the quarantine guidelines, and we will do our best to focus on Kai’s recovery, considering the health and safety of our artists as our top priority. Thank you.”
IVE’s Gaeul
Rookie group, IVE member Gaeul was also announced to have tested positive. On March 16, 2022, Starship Entertainment released a statement, “Hello. This is Starship Entertainment. We are informing you that our agency’s artist IVE’s Gaeul tested positive for COVID-19. Yesterday (March 15) afternoon, Gaeul tested positive on the self-testing kit she preemptively used, so she immediately went to the hospital and carried out a rapid antigen test and was diagnosed with COVID-19. Besides Gaeul, all the other members currently have no special symptoms. They visited the hospital and underwent rapid antigen testing, and they all tested negative.”
The statement further read, “Gaeul completed the second dose of her COVID-19 vaccine, and she has no other symptoms besides a mild sore throat. She is receiving treatment at home separately from the members. The agency considers the health and safety of the artist as top priority, and we will focus on her treatment and recovery while following the government health authorities’ guidelines. Thank you.”
VERIVERY’s Kangmin, Gyehyeon, Minchan, Yeonho, and Hoyoung
On March 16, 2022, Jellyfish Entertainment announced that five VERIVERY members tested positive for COVID-19.
“Hello. This is Jellyfish Entertainment. Our agency’s artists VERIVERY’s Kangmin, Gyehyeon, Minchan, Yeonho, and Hoyoung have tested positive for COVID-19 through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests.
VERIVERY has been using self-testing kits and carrying out rapid antigen tests as preemptive measures before participating in scheduled activities. Recently, after testing positive through rapid antigen tests, [the five members] ultimately checked that they tested positive after receiving PCR tests.
All the VERIVERY members received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and they currently have no special symptoms.
VERYIVERY has currently halted all scheduled activities, and they are in self-quarantine while following the government health authorities’ guidelines. Dongheon and Yongseung, who tested negative, are monitoring their health status while in self-quarantine.
The agency will do our best for the health and safety of VERIVERY and other artists. We apologize for causing concern to many people.”
VERIVERY is currently preparing for a comeback, hope the members recover in time to participate in the same.
TXT’s Huening Kai
On March 15, 2022, three days after TXT’s leader, Soobin was announced to have tested positive for COVID-19, BigHit Music announced Huening Kai has also tested positive.
“This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We would like to provide you with some information regarding the health of TOMORROW X TOGETHER member Huening Kai. Huening Kai presented symptoms of a cold and took the PCR test on Monday 14th, and was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Tuesday the 15th. Huening Kai is currently not presenting any extraordinary symptoms other than a sore throat, and is undergoing treatment at home while under quarantine.”
“All members have been isolated since taking rapid antigen tests on Thursday the 10th. Yeonjun, Beomgyu, and Taehyun will closely monitor their health while taking special care of their personal hygiene. The company places the artists’ health as our top priority, and we will do everything we can to aid Huening Kai in his speedy recovery. We will also diligently cooperate with the requests and guidelines of the health care authorities,” the statement continued.
Astro’s Cha Eun Woo
On March 18, 2022, Fantagio Entertainment released a statement saying after feeling unwell, Astro member Cha Eun Woo took the rapid antigen test and tested positive for COVID-19.
“Hello. This is Fantagio. Today (March 18), our agency’s artist Cha Eun Woo checked that he tested positive through a rapid antigen test he preemptively carried out after starting to feel unwell. Currently, Cha Eun Woo has no symptoms other than those of a mild cold, so he will be focusing on treatment and recovery in keeping with the government health authorities’ guidelines for COVID-19.”
It further read, “It will be difficult for ASTRO’s Cha Eun Woo to participate in his scheduled activities, so we will update you on the artist’s return to his scheduled activities in the future after checking when he will be released from quarantine. We ask for your understanding for causing concern to many people, and the agency will continue to consider the health of the artists and staff foremost and do its best for the fast recovery of the artist while following the government health authorities’ guidelines. Thank you.”
Stray Kids’ Changbin and Han
On March 18, 2022, JYP Entertainment revealed Stray Kid’s member Changbin tested COVID-19 positive.
“Hello, this is JYPE. We inform you that Stray Kids member Changbin has tested positive for COVID-19 today. Changbin took a rapid antigen test on the morning of March 18th to participate in the pre-recording for KBS Music Bank and participated in activities scheduled in the morning after confirming he received a negative result. Later, he received a positive result when he preemptively took an additional rapid antigen test to participate in scheduled activities in the afternoon, and he immediately visited a hospital to receive rapid antigen testing by medical professionals and was diagnosed with COVID-19. Changbin has received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and as he is currently not presenting any symptoms, he is quarantined and separated from the other members in accordance with the guidelines of the disease prevention authorities.”
On March 19, 2022, JYPE released another statement announcing, Stary Kids’ Han had also tested positive. The statement read:
“We inform you that Stray Kids member Han has tested positive for COVID-19 today. On the afternoon of March 18, Han took a PCR test as a preemptive measure and received a positive diagnosis on March 19. Han has completed his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and he is currently not exhibiting any symptoms. He is quarantining in accordance with the guidelines of the disease control authorities.”
“The other six members, excluding Changbin and Han, received negative results in their PCR tests, and they have been staying in separated living spaces since the afternoon of March 18. All members will continue to focus on personal hygiene and monitor their health. JYPE will place the artists’ health as the highest priority and do our best to support their swift recovery,” the statement continued.