K-pop idols and Covid-19: Chungha tested positive amid South Korea’s third wave and Kara’s Gyuri did earlier this year – plus 5 more stars who caught coronavirus

Dec 9 , 2020

K-pop stars Chungha, Kogyeol from Up10tion and Sihyeon from Everglow have all tested positive for Covid-19. Photos: @chungha_official; @u10t_kogyeol; @syeonstagram99/Instagram

Everglow’s Yiren and Sihyeon tested positive after appearing on Yoo Hee-yeoul’s Sketchbook, while Up10nation’s Bitto and Kogyeol had other music artists on SBS’ Inkigayo and MBC’s Show! Music Core scrambling to get screened

As Covid-19 ravaged the globe throughout 2020, some countries and regions were lauded for the efficient and effective measures they took. One of these was South Korea, which implemented widespread testing that temporarily slowed down the virus’ spread. However, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported five days straight of over 300 new daily cases in November, a worrying development that prompted Seoul to close bars and nightclubs, limit religious gatherings and restrict service at restaurants.

And even celebrities aren’t safe. Idol Chungha recently confirmed that she tested positive for the virus – the latest in a string of K-pop stars who have caught it. Here are more who have struggled with Covid-19, and what we know about their situations.

Up10tion

Two members of K-pop boy band Up10tion tested positive, their talent agency Top Media announced – Bitto at the end of November and Kogyeol last week. Thankfully, the rest of the members tested negative.

Since Up10tion performed on MBC’s Show! Music Core and SBS’s Inkigayo, other music artists who appeared on the music TV programmes also got tested after the news about Bitto.

Gyuri

Park Gyu-ri, the former leader of now defunct girl group Kara, was filmed dancing in a nightclub without wearing her mask properly in May. The club was later linked to the Itaewon Covid-19 cluster of South Korea’s second wave of the virus.

In a statement made through her agency, Park said that she tested negative and publicly apologised for her actions, expressing her “deep regret”.