Korean music industry on alert as K-pop singers test positive for COVID-19

Lee Min-hyuk of K-pop boy band BTOB Photo by Cube Entertainment via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

SEOUL — The Korean music industry is on alert as a growing number of singers have tested positive for the coronavirus amid an ongoing fourth wave of infections.

Lee Min-hyuk of K-pop boy band BTOB was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, the band’s agency Cube Entertainment on Saturday.

After Lee found out that his vocal coach tested positive for the coronavirus, he took two polymerase chain reaction tests and the results came out negative for both. However, he started showing symptoms on Friday while undergoing quarantine because he was deemed a close contact of a COVID-19 patient.

“He started coughing and having a fever on Friday. So he went through the PCR test again at a public health center. On Saturday he tested positive,” the agency said in a statement. “Lee is taking necessary measures according to the quarantine guidelines of the health authorities, and we will do our best for his fast recovery.“

Two members of boy band Treasure Doyoung and Junghwan also tested positive for COVID-19, according to their agency YG Entertainment.

Doyoung’s test results came back positive on Tuesday, while Junghwan’s were negative at the time. While in quarantine, Junghwan tested positive for COVID-19 using self-test kits. On Saturday, a positive PCR test confirmed his diagnosis.

Other Treasure members and staffers who worked with the boy band all tested negative, YG Entertainment added.

Trot Singer Jang Min-ho Photo by New Era Project via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

Trot Singer Jang Min-ho, who rose to stardom after appearing on TV Chosun’s audition program “Mr. Trot,” was confirmed to have been infected by the virus as well.

Jang’s agency New Era Project on Saturday said all staff and employees who had come in contact with Jang will be tested and that they would take all necessary measures.

Jang came into contact with Olympic gold medalist Park Tae-hwan, who tested positive Friday, during their earlier appearance on TV Chosun‘s variety show “Ppong School.”

Other top contestants of “Mr. Trot” who appeared on the show with Jang, including Lim Young-woong, Young Tak, Lee Chan-won, Kim Hee-jae and Jung Dong-won, all tested negative for the coronavirus.