Agencies apologize for K-Pop idols' Itaewon nightout amid COVID-19 outbreak

Korean entertainment agencies have apologized on behalf of their K-Pop talents who have gone on a night out in Itaewon amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.

According to a report by Soompi, the agencies of idols BTS’ Jung Kook, Seventeen’s Mingyu, NCT’s Jaehyun and Astro’s Cha Eun-woo have released their respective statements.

As the agencies confirmed that the nightout took place, they also announced that the K-Pop stars involved have tested negative for COVID-19.

The recent spike in COVID-19 cases in South Korea was said to have begun in Itaewon after an infected patient visited clubs in the neighborhood.

Citing a report from Dispatch, the Soompi article said the four members went to a restaurant and two bars in Itaewon from April 25 evening until dawn.

Meanwhile, the infected person who was said to have visited the neighborhood on May 2 tested positive of the disease on May 6.

Following the announcement of the confirmed case, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) requested those who had visited clubs, bars, restaurants and other hangouts in Itaewon from April 24 to May 6 to refrain from leaving their homes.

Below are the statements released by the agencies of Jung Kook, Mingyu, Jaehyun and Cha Eun-woo.

Big Hit Entertainment:

Hello.

This is Big Hit Entertainment.

Here is our official statement regarding BTS member Jungkook’s visit to the neighborhood of Itaewon in Seoul.

Last week, several news outlets reached out to us to ask about whether Jungkook had visited the neighborhood of Itaewon, and we sincerely apologize for belatedly realizing that the agency’s response to the questions were problematic.

It is true that Jungkook went to the neighborhood of Itaewon. However, at the time, he did not go to the place that became a problem due to the confirmed case in early May, and Jungkook was in Itaewon a week prior to the first confirmed case (first case related to the chain of infections in the neighborhood of Itaewon). Moreover, to abide by the government’s guidelines, Jungkook took measures such as receiving a test for COVID-19, so we deemed it inappropriate to reveal our artist’s private life to the public.

However, there is no room for excuse regarding the fact that we, as the agency of the artist in question, had not properly recognized the heavy importance of social distancing and prioritized the protection of the artist’s private life over it. We bow our heads to everyone in apology.

On the evening of April 25, Saturday, Jungkook visited a restaurant and bar in the neighborhood of Itaewon with his acquaintances. He showed no symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing or a fever following the visit. He voluntarily received a test for COVID-19 at a government-designated hospital and tested negative. The artist himself is currently feeling deeply regretful for not having faithfully contributed to the entire society’s social distancing efforts.

We at Big Hit are doing our best to follow social distancing protocols as well as other guidelines and prevention methods for COVID-19. We will follow [the guidelines] more thoroughly to ensure that such things do not happen again. We apologize for causing concern to many people including fans.

Pledis Entertainment:

Hello, this is Pledis Entertainment.

First, we deeply apologize for causing concern to many with the report regarding Pledis Entertainment artist SEVENTEEN member Mingyu’s visit to the neighborhood of Itaewon.

Mingyu is deeply reflecting on his inappropriate behavior of not abiding by the social guidelines during the government’s social distancing period.

Immediately after confirming that he had visited the area during the period specified by the CDSCHQ, he was voluntarily tested for COVID-19 at a government-designated hospital even though he did not show symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing or fever. After he received negative results, he has been in self-isolation and has carefully followed the guidelines of personal hygiene.

We at the agency feel deeply responsible that a situation like this has arisen due to our careless management of the artist.

We sincerely apologize for causing concern and worry to fans who send love and attention [to our artists].

To prevent something like this from happening again, we will emphasize the importance of social distancing and personal hygiene to our artists and pay careful attention to ensure that our artists follow the guidelines.

We once again bow our heads in apology.

SM Entertainment:

Hello, this is SM Entertainment.

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

On April 25, Jaehyun visited a restaurant and bar in the neighborhood of Itaewon, but he did not go to the specific club that became a problem, and [Jaehyun’s visit to the neighborhood] took place seven days prior to the confirmed case.

Jaehyun did not show symptoms, but when COVID-19 broke out in the club in Itaewon and started to spread, he voluntarily received a COVID-19 diagnosis test and tested negative.

Jaehyun is deeply reflecting on the fact that he was not careful during the period of social distancing when everyone should be refraining from everyday gatherings.

We also deeply apologize for failing to guide and manage our artist to ensure that he carefully follow social distancing protocols during his personal time as well.

We will work harder on the management of our artists to prevent something like this from happening again.

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

Fantagio:

Hello, this is Fantagio.

We have confirmed that Cha Eun Woo went to the neighborhood of Itaewon on April 25. We apologize that he didn’t follow social distancing guidelines and caused concern due to our careless management.

Cha Eun Woo did not go to the location that became a problem in early May with a confirmed case, and when we asked the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on if he is a subject for COVID-19 testing, we were told that it is not required if he does not have symptoms. However, he was tested for the health and safety of the artist and those around him, and he tested negative.

No matter the reason, it was a thoughtless action for our artist Cha Eun Woo to visit the Itaewon area when the entire nation is practicing social distancing, and the artist himself is deeply reflecting on not faithfully contributing to the social distancing efforts.

We promise to put in our full effort for an incident like this to not happen again by having all of our artists strictly follow the preventative guidelines. We apologize for causing concern.

— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/RC, GMA News