The K-pop industry is on high alert after more than ten performers tested positive with COVID-19 in less than a week, raising concerns about the virus's spread.
Donghan of the K-pop boy band WEi was found to be afflicted with the virus on Tuesday. His record label, OUI Entertainment, said he received a positive PCR test result on Jan. 25, one day after an at-home test came back negative.
"After testing negative on January 24, he filmed Watcha's 'Double Trouble,'" the company said. "However, on Jan. 25, he received a positive PCR test result, so we promptly informed Watcha officials."
Two other WEi members, Yongha and Seokhwa, were also diagnosed with COVID-19, according to the report.
"Double Trouble" is a variety show in which ten K-pop singers are paired together and perform duets. Lim Seul-ong of 2AM, Inseong of SF9, Jeon Ji-woo of KARD, and Hyolyn, a former member of the now-defunct K-pop girl group Sistar, are among the cast members.
All members of the crew were said to have tested negative, but Hyolyn tested positive on Jan. 26.
"Hyolyn had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and tested negative on an at-home test, but a PCR test confirmed that she has contracted the virus," according to her agency.
Several singers signed to YG Entertainment, a K-pop powerhouse, have also been found to be afflicted with the virus.
Ju-ne of iKON, as well as TREASURE's Yoshi, tested positive on Jan. 25, just a day after his bandmates Jinhwan, Yunhyeong, and Donghyuk. Seunghoon of WINNER was diagnosed with COVID-19 on January 24.
In a statement, YG added, "Ju-ne and Yoshi were all immunized, but they still got infected." "They are in decent condition; we disinfected our offices and had all of our company officials and artists take COVID-19 testing to prevent the virus from spreading further; we will do everything we can to assist our artists in recovering and combating the virus."
TREASURE's next album, "THE SECOND STEP: CHAPTER ONE," is planned to be released on Feb. 15, but YG hasn't said whether there will be any changes to the timetable.
Four members of the K-pop group The Boyz have gotten the virus: Younghoon, Hyunjae, Haknyeon, and Eric. Eunhyuk, a member of Super Junior, tested positive on January 20.
Korea's daily COVID-19 cases topped 14,000 on Wednesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), as the Omicron strain spreads across the country. On Tuesday, the country experienced its first five-digit daily tally of 13,012.
