[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] On the 28th, according to quarantine authorities, a large number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the popular culture sector, raising tension.
Musical actors Jeong Seon-ah and Seo Kyung-soo announced on the 28th that they tested positive. Palm Tree Island stated, "Musical actor Jeong Seon-ah proactively underwent a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test on the 26th before her personal schedule, and on the morning of the 27th, she was officially confirmed positive for COVID-19 by health authorities."
Jeong Seon-ah, who is six months pregnant and expected to give birth in May, has not yet received her second vaccine dose.
Performance planning company M Theater announced, "Musical 'Something Rotten' cast member Seo Kyung-soo tested positive for COVID-19, so the three performances scheduled from today until the 29th have been canceled." They added, "All cast and staff will undergo COVID-19 testing, and future performance schedules will be announced according to quarantine authority guidelines."
The musical 'Hadestown' reported that actor Park Kang-hyun, who overlapped movements with a confirmed case, has been replaced in the cast and some performances have been canceled. The play 'Last Session' also announced the cancellation of the performance on the 28th after a positive result was detected during regular self-kit testing of actors and staff.
The situation in the K-pop industry is even more serious. Brave Girls member Yuna, Oh My Girl member Yubin, and VIVIZ member Umji announced they tested positive on the same day. According to their agencies, all have completed their second vaccine dose.
In addition, recently, Hyolyn, Kwon Eun-bi, The Boyz members Younghoon, Eric, Ju Hak-nyeon, Hyeonjae, Super Junior's Eunhyuk, WINNER's Lee Seung-hoon, WEi members Kim Dong-han, Yoo Yong-ha, Kang Seok-hwa, Kep1er members Kim Chae-hyun and Seo Young-eun, iKON members Koo Jun-hoe and Jung Chan-woo, Treasure members Yoshi, Choi Hyun-seok, Jun-gyu, and Mashiho have all been infected with COVID-19 one after another.
They were confirmed positive either through proactive PCR testing conducted before their schedules or through tests taken after overlapping movements with confirmed cases.
According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 28th, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 16,000, setting a record high for the fourth consecutive day.
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