Monsta X EP delayed after Hyungwon tests positive for Covid-19

Monsta X's upcoming Ep has been delayed after member Hyungwon, fourth from left, tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, according to Starship Entertainment on Tuesday.

Boy band Monsta X's new EP release has been delayed after member Hyungwon tested positive for Covid-19, according to its agency Starship Entertainment on Tuesday.

"Hyungwon tested positive on a rapid antigen test on Monday," wrote the agency on the band's official fan forum, adding that Hyungwon has been vaccinated three times and is being treated at home.

Starship Entertainment also announced that Monsta X's upcoming activities and new releases will be postponed indefinitely.

"Taking artists' health and safety as our foremost concern, we have decided to delay the release dates for Monsta X's new EP and related content," wrote the agency.

Monsta X had been scheduled to drop its new EP "Shape of Love" on April 11. The upcoming album features six tracks: "Love," "Burning Up," "Breathe," "Wildfire," "I Love You" (translated) and "AND."

The band is also slated for a world tour titled “2022 Monsta X No Limit US Tour” starting May 21 in New York.

Monsta X will perform in nine cities: New York; Fairfax, Virginia; Detroit; Chicago; Sunrise, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; and Los Angeles.

Monsta X debuted in 2015 through Starship and Mnet’s music survival program “No.Mercy” (2014-15). The band currently has six members: Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M. The band debuted with its first EP “Trespass” (2015). It is known for hits like “Who Do U Love?” (2019), “Love Killa” (2020) and “You Problem” (2021).

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