[Full Statement] SM Side "NCT Jaehyun Deeply Reflects on Itaewon Visit"

On the morning of the 6th, Jaehyun of the group NCT 127 attended the opening ceremony of the "Let's Join the Hope Donation Relay Campaign" held at COEX Mall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to participate in overcoming the novel coronavirus infection crisis.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 18th, NCT member Jaehyun's side apologized, saying, "We deeply reflect on not being cautious during the social distancing period."

On the same day, Jaehyun's agency SM Entertainment stated in an official position, "On April 25th, Jaehyun visited a restaurant and bar located in Itaewon with friends, but he did not go to the specific club in question, and (the visit time) was 7 days before a confirmed case visited Itaewon."

They continued, "Although Jaehyun showed no symptoms, as COVID-19 spread from the Itaewon club, he voluntarily underwent related diagnostic tests and received a negative result," adding, "Jaehyun deeply reflects on the part where he was not cautious during a period when everyone should refrain from everyday meetings and practice social distancing."

Finally, the agency added, "We also deeply apologize for the shortcomings in guiding and managing our artist to strictly follow social distancing even during personal time."

Earlier that morning, Dispatch reported that members of the entertainment industry's '97 group' including BTS Jungkook, ASTRO Cha Eun-woo, NCT Jaehyun, and SEVENTEEN Mingyu visited two restaurants and entertainment facilities in Itaewon from the evening of the 25th to the early morning of the 26th of last month.

The full official statement from SM Entertainment is as follows:

Hello, this is SM Entertainment.

We apologize for causing concern during a time when many people are suffering due to COVID-19.

On April 25th, Jaehyun visited a restaurant and bar located in Itaewon with friends, but he did not go to the specific club in question, and it was 7 days before a confirmed case visited Itaewon.

Although Jaehyun showed no symptoms, as COVID-19 spread starting from the Itaewon club, he voluntarily underwent a COVID-19 diagnostic test and received a negative result.

Jaehyun deeply reflects on the part where he was not cautious during a period when everyone should refrain from everyday meetings and practice social distancing.

We also deeply apologize for the shortcomings in guiding and managing our artist to strictly follow social distancing even during personal time.

We will work harder on artist management to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Once again, we apologize for causing concern to fans and many others.