In a report published today by Dispatch, they claimed that four male idols were apparently around the Itaewon area during the coronavirus breakout last month. They were identified as BTS’ Jungkook, NCT’s Jaehyun, SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, and ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo.
According to the same report, the four met up in a restaurant in Itaewon on April 25, 2020, a day after a breakout happened in a club somewhere within the area. The day of their meet-up also happened to be the day that the Korea Center for Disease Control called on all Koreans to practice social distancing measures during these times.
The abovementioned publication has also revealed that the four singers visited the restuarant and 2 other entertainment establishments. Due to the club breakout earlier stated, the KCDC has requested all people that have visited Itaewon to get themselves tested for possible infection of the virus. Dispatch has confirmed that Eunwoo, Mingyu, Jaehyun, and Jungkook have already been tested and has since received negative results.
As part of the safety protocol, the KCDC has also instructed those who were in Itaewon during that period to self-isolate for at least 14 days, the incubation period for the novel coronavirus; which should end May 10.
However, on May 4, ASTRO staged their comeback for Knock and Eunwoo has since visited various programs and activities as part of the promotions. Jaehyun, on the other hand, has continued hosting Inkigayo for three Sundays: April 26, May 3, and May 10. Both Jungkook and Mingyu have no activities during the said 14-day period.
Dispatch has also reported that the second venue that they have visited was already closed down due to the social distancing measures being in place. It was also described to be a mixture of a bar and a club, an environment where such physical distancing is hard to implement.
Currently, BigHit Entertainment, Jungkook’s label, has stated that “they are confirming the validity of this report.”
Updates:
BigHit has confIrmed the involvement of Jungkook in this incident.
Fantagio Entertainment, Cha Eunwoo’s label, has also confirmed his participation and has since apologized. They have also reinstated that the group did not go to the club where the breakout happened.
Pledis and SM Entertainment has also issued their respective statements on behalf of Mingyu and Jaehyun.