3 members of K-pop Sensation BTS diagnosed with COVID-19
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – Three members of the K-pop superstar group BTS became infected with the coronavirus after returning from abroad, their management agency said.
RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday night, Big Hit Music agency said in a statement. He previously said that another member, Suga, tested positive for the virus on Friday.
All three received their second blows in August, the agency said.
BTS is a seven member boy band. The other four members are J-Hope, Jungkook, V, and Jimin.
According to the agency, RM has not shown any particular symptoms, while Jin shows mild symptoms, including a mild fever, and is treating himself at home. The agency said on Friday that Suga was showing no symptoms and was administering personal care at home in accordance with guidelines from health authorities.
RM had tested negative after returning from the United States earlier this month following his personal schedule there. But he was later diagnosed with the virus before his scheduled release from self-quarantine, the agency said.
After returning to South Korea this month, Jin underwent PCR tests twice, upon arrival and later before his release from self-quarantine, and tested negative both times. But he had flu-like symptoms Saturday afternoon before taking another PRC test that came back positive, the agency said. Media reports said that he also traveled to the US.
Suga, who has had a number of personal engagements in the United States during the band’s official time off, was diagnosed with COVID-19 during quarantine after returning from the United States, the agency said.
The agency said it will continue to provide support for the three members to recover quickly. He said he will cooperate with requests and guidelines from South Korean health authorities.
Since their debut in 2013, BTS has gained worldwide recognition for their self-produced music and activism, which includes giving a speech at the United Nations and publicly denouncing anti-Asian racism. The band topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart three times in 2020 and were nominated for notable music awards such as the Billboard Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.