Kim Soo-ro, Jung Woo-sung, Go Kyung-pyo 'Breakthrough Infections'... Broadcasting Industry on Alert Amid Consecutive Confirmations
Jung Eun-kyung: "Breakthrough Cases Only 0.2%"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the spread of COVID-19 intensifies, the entertainment industry is on high alert as celebrities such as broadcaster Yoo Jae-suk and singer Yoo Hee-yeol have consecutively tested positive for COVID-19. In particular, the controversy is growing as some celebrities have experienced breakthrough infections despite having completed their vaccinations. Given this situation, many are expressing doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccine.
With the continuous news of celebrities testing positive, concerns are rising that the spread of COVID-19 centered around the entertainment industry could worsen, especially with numerous major events, including year-end award ceremonies, scheduled in the near future. Some award ceremonies have even started recruiting audience members, further heightening worries.
Recently, breakthrough infection cases have been occurring one after another in the entertainment industry. Earlier, on the 10th, Antenna CEO Yoo Hee-yeol tested positive for COVID-19, followed by Yoo Jae-suk on the 13th. According to their agencies, both had completed their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, Choi Si-won, a member of the group Super Junior, also completed his second vaccination in September but tested positive this month. Another member of the same group, Shin Dong, contracted a breakthrough infection after receiving the Janssen vaccine and before his booster shot, and has been undergoing treatment.
In addition, actors Jung Woo-sung, Go Kyung-pyo, and Kim Soo-ro have consecutively tested positive for COVID-19. All of them had completed vaccination but experienced breakthrough infections.
On the 15th, when 7,850 new COVID-19 cases and 964 critically ill patients were recorded, marking the highest numbers ever, citizens waiting to be tested lined up at a screening clinic set up at Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
In the case of celebrities, due to the nature of their activities, it is not uncommon for them to film without wearing masks. Most programs currently display subtitles indicating that 'COVID-19 prevention guidelines have been followed,' but it is difficult to see cast members wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
Especially on filming sites where dozens of people gather, if even one person tests positive, there is a high probability of a cluster infection. This risk is even greater when mask-wearing and other precautions are not properly observed.
However, as breakthrough infection cases continue in the entertainment industry, some are raising questions about the vaccine's effectiveness. On the 26th of last month, a petition titled "Strong Opposition to the Vaccine Pass (also known as the Quarantine Pass)" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board, where the petitioner pointed out, "Because there are serious cases of widespread breakthrough infections, one cannot be completely assured just because they have been vaccinated."
Nevertheless, according to the government, the proportion of breakthrough infections in Korea is not high. On the 10th, Jung Eun-kyeong, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated in a briefing, "Among 41 million people who have completed their second dose in Korea, there are about 70,000 breakthrough infection cases, which is only 0.2% of those fully vaccinated."
As the spread continues within the entertainment industry, concerns are being raised about the need for countermeasures, especially since large-scale award ceremonies such as the Entertainment Awards and the Gayo Daejeon are concentrated at the end of the year.
In particular, it has been confirmed that some award ceremonies plan to recruit audiences this year, unlike last year. The KBS 'Gayo Daechukje,' scheduled for the 17th, accepted audience applications from those aged 15 and older between the 4th and 7th. Although a 'quarantine pass' requiring proof of vaccination and a negative PCR test within 48 hours will be applied, concerns about breakthrough infections remain significant.
Experts point out that award ceremonies with live audiences pose a dilemma even for broadcasters.
Jung Deok-hyun, a popular culture critic, said, "Broadcasters probably did not anticipate the current surge. They never expected popular celebrities like Yoo Jae-suk to test positive. As the government implemented 'With Corona' (gradual recovery of daily life), broadcasters also began to ease quarantine measures. However, with the emergence of variants like Omicron, broadcasters are now uncertain whether it is appropriate to invite audiences to award ceremonies."
He added, "The broadcasters' quarantine policies will change depending on the government's announcements regarding prevention measures. For example, if the government strengthens social distancing again, broadcasters will have no choice but to follow suit."
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