UP10TION Halts Activities; AKMU, NCT, aespa, And More Test For Covid

by Victoria Marian Belmis / Dec 02, 2020 05:42 AM EST

On Monday, TOP Media announced that K-pop idol singer Bitto from boy band UP10TION has tested positive for coronavirus after a close encounter with a confirmed case.

"After Bitto finished his activities on the 29th, he learned that he had been in close contact with a virus patient and was requested to take the test," TOP Media said.

According to the news agency, the main rapper of UP10TION contracted the virus after he appeared on MBC's "Show! Music Core," and SBS's "Inkigayo," last Saturday and Sunday to promote his group's latest comeback.

Furthermore, due to Bitto's positive result, the agency confirmed that they have decided to halt all of UP10TION's scheduled activities. "UP10TION's following scheduled activities have all been canceled, and once again we will do our best to take care of our artists and manage sanitation for Covid-19."

TOP Media also added, "Our agency artists, staff and employees who crossed paths or came into contact with Bitto are being tested for Covid-19, and we will take quarantine measures according to instructions by health authorities."

In addition, the K-pop label announced on Tuesday that Kogyeol, another member of UP10TION, also tested positive. "The rest of the members tested negative but they will be in self-quarantine for two weeks," TOP Media said.

Because of this, many of the currently promoting idols who attended the two (2) weekend television music programs decided to get tested as well.

aespa, who goes to the same salon with UP10TION tested negative for coronavirus. Additionally, NCT, AKMU, Treasure, Stray Kids, and CNBLUE's Yonghwa, fortunately, have all tested negative for Covid-19.

The MCs for the said shows have also gone for testing.

The current MC for Inkigayo, APRIL's Naeun, has gone tested. Although testing negative, she is undergoing self-quarantine as a preventive measure. On the other hand, IZ*ONE members also tested for coronavirus, especially Minjoo who came in contact with the confirmed case being the MC for Music Core. Fortunately, all of IZ*ONE's members tested negative.

Also, SF9's Chanhee who is an MC for Music Core as well as Inkigayo MCs NCT's Jaehyun and MONSTA X's Minhyuk have all tested negative.

Toughened social distancing and protocols have implemented in South Korea after the surge of new covid cases recently.