The K-pop industry is taking a big hit amid the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections here, with a growing number of singers contracting the coronavirus.
YG Entertainment, home to K-pop boy band TREASURE, said Tuesday that member Doyoung had tested positive.
“Doyoung underwent COVID-19 testing before shooting a commercial on July 12 and tested positive,” the company said in a statement. “All the other TREASURE members and support staff tested negative but will still quarantine themselves.”
The news about Doyoung was delivered only a few hours after singer Seo In-young, best known for her 2008 hit “Cinderella,” confirmed she had been infected.
The singer’s management company, Think Entertainment said she would isolate herself and undergo treatment.
“Seo was initially scheduled to appear as a guest on TV Chosun’s reality shows Romantic Call Center, but we had to cancel this plan,” it said.
On July 10, KQ Entertainment, which manages K-pop boy band ATEEZ, said the octet would put its musical activities on hold as member San tested positive for COVID-19. Following the announcement, San, known to have been asymptomatic, left a message for his followers on ATEEZ’s fan community.
“I am currently in good condition,” he said. “I will recover soon and show that a virus like this is nothing to us.”
The boy band Golden Child also pushed back its live concert dates following the recent COVID-19 flare-up. It was initially planning to hold concerts titled “Summer Breeze” on July 17 and 18 at Blue Square Mastercard Hall in central Seoul.
The 10-piece act’s agency Woollim Entertainment announced the postponement on Tuesday, saying, “We decided to delay the event for the safety of all… We will disclose new dates when social distancing rules are eased.”
The company added it would give full refunds to ticket holders.