Eric of The Boyz tests positive for Covid-19

Eric of The Boyz [ILGAN SPORTS]

Eric of boy band The Boyz tested positive for Covid-19, according to IST Entertainment on Monday.

Eric, whose real name is Son Young-jae, has been fully vaccinated and recently received a booster shot, the agency wrote on The Boyz’ official fan cafe. Nonetheless, he tested positive on Monday morning.

“Prior to this, an acquaintance that Eric had dinner with tested positive for Covid-19, so Eric preemptively underwent a PCR test on the morning of Jan. 21 which came back negative,” the agency added.

“He showed no symptoms, so he self-isolated until Jan. 22. Then he used a self-testing kit on Jan. 22 which came back negative, so he resumed his group activities. However, during another preemptive test conducted on Monday before filming a reality show, he tested positive.”

Other members of The Boyz are awaiting their PCR test results.

“After Eric tested positive this morning, all other members of The Boyz and staff underwent Covid-19 testing and are waiting for the results,” said IST. “We also notified the team that hosted last weekend’s schedule [of The Boyz].”

On Sunday, The Boyz attended the 31st Seoul Music Awards held on Sunday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, southwestern Seoul.

“Upcoming schedules will be modified,” IST said. “We will first and foremost adhere to self-isolation and health authorities’ guidelines for the artists’ health and safety.”

The Boyz is an 11-member group that debuted in 2017. It consists of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo and Eric. It gained more popularity after winning Mnet's music competition show "Road to Kingdom" (2020).

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]