New Covid cases infiltrate entertainment sphere

K-pop

Published: 13 Feb. 2022, 17:55 Updated: 13 Feb. 2022, 23:23

New Covid cases infiltrate entertainment sphere

Girl group ITZY's Lia, second from left, tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, according to JYP Entertainment. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Girl group ITZY'S Lia, comedian Haha and members of boy bands Seventeen, CN Blue and Cravity tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend, according to their respective agencies.

Lia’s agency JYP Entertainment announced the news through its official website on Sunday.

“Lia self-tested for Covid-19 with a kit which came out positive on Saturday,” said the agency.

“She immediately went to a hospital for a PCR test which also came out positive this morning.”

The agency added that Lia is being treated at home and currently does not display any serious symptoms of the virus.

She has been vaccinated twice.

Other members of ITZY underwent pre-emptive PCR testing as well, said the agency. Ryujin and Chaeryeong have tested negative. Yuna and Yeji are still waiting for their test results.

“We will announce the remaining members’ test results as they are released,” said the agency.

Accordingly, the group’s fan meet “ITZY The 1st Fan Meeting” which was scheduled for Saturday has been postponed.

Comedian Haha, whose legal name is Ha Dong-hoon, also tested positive for the virus according to his agency QUAN Entertainment on Saturday. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Comedian Haha, whose legal name is Ha Dong-hoon, also tested positive for the virus according to his agency QUAN Entertainment on Saturday.

"Ha tested positive in both a rapid antigen test and a PCR test on Friday," said the agency in a statement.

Ha is currently a member of SBS variety program "Running Man."

Of the program’s seven permanent cast members, Ha tested positive for the virus following comedians Kim Jong-kook, Yang Se-chan and Ji Suk-jin. Entertainer Yu Jae-seok, who is also a permanent member of "Running Man," had tested positive for Covid-19 last December.

According to SBS, Ha's infection will not lead to his absence on the shows.

“The quarantine period was reduced to seven days and we had no plans to record episodes during the following week, so we do not believe it will affect the show’s airing,” the broadcaster said.

Wonwoo of boy band Seventeen, fourth from right, tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, according to his agency Pledis Entertainment. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Wonwoo of boy band Seventeen tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, according to his agency Pledis Entertainment.

“After symptoms like a sore throat and a mild fever, Wonwoo self-tested for Covid with a kit on Friday which came out positive," wrote the agency on its official social media account.

"He immediately went to the hospital and took a PCR test which also came out positive Saturday morning."

As Wonwoo is not displaying any serious symptoms, he is being treated for the virus at home, said Pledis Entertainment.

The agency added that 11 other members of the group have all taken self-Covid tests which came out negative.

Singer Jung Yong-hwa of CN Blue tested positive for the virus on Saturday as well, according to FNC Entertainment. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Singer Jung Yong-hwa of CN Blue tested positive for the virus on Saturday as well, according to FNC Entertainment.

“The singer tested positive for the virus with a PCR test,” wrote the agency on their official website.

“He has a mild sore throat and will be under quarantine until he has fully recovered.”

Members Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin of rookie boy band Cravity tested positive for the virus Sunday, according to Starship Entertainment. [ILGAN SPORTS]

Members Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung, and Seongmin of rookie boy band Cravity tested positive for the virus Sunday, according to Starship Entertainment.

The agency said that Taeyoung first displayed symptoms of a fever on Friday which led to the rest of the band's members undergoing self-tests and PCR tests.

“As a result, seven members tested positive for the virus,” said the agency.

According to Starship Entertainment, the seven members are being treated at home and are not displaying any serious symptoms other than mild fevers and sore throats.

The agency added that two members Wonjin and Woobin who did not test positive for the virus are in self-quarantine.

Accordingly, the group’s new full-length album “Liberty: In our Cosmos” which was scheduled to drop Feb. 22, has been postponed.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]