UP10TION’s Bitto has been tested positive for COVID-19. To make things worse, there are at least 10 groups that have overlapping movements with him. The red light has been turned on in the music industry and an emergency epidemiological investigation is underway.
Earlier this morning, TOP Media confirmed, “Bitto was tested for COVID-19 when he was notified that he was someone who came into close contact with a patient. And on the morning of Nov 30, he was confirmed with the virus.”
Bitto shared a meal with a friend on Nov 22 and soon started his comeback promotions. UP10TION performed on MBC’s Show! Music Core on Nov 28 and on SBS’s Inkigayo on Nov 29. And on Nov 29, the friend Bitto hung out with was confirmed with COVID-19.
This news has struck the music industry hard. Especially in the case of Show! Music Core, singers used waiting rooms on the seventh floor. Every group used the same elevator at least 6 times for rehearsals and performances. This day, CNBLUE, AKMU, NCT U, Stray Kids, aespa, Henry, Norazo, UP10TION, NATTY, BAE173, Pentagon’s HUI, and more appeared.
Inkigayo is also focusing on identifying groups that made close contact with Bitto. This day, CNBLUE, NCT U, aespa, Stray Kids, AKMU, TREASURE and more performed on stage. An official from the show said, “We plan to cooperate with other networks by sharing necessary information with each other.”
Music shows will be canceling their recordings one after another. SBS MTV said, “Considering that UP10TION members and most artists overlapped their movements, we decided to cancel the show in order to protect the singers and the staff.”
SM Entertainment and Cube Entertainment determined to undergo the COVID-19 test first as a preemptive measure.
UP10TION’s agency apologized, “We sincerely apologize to all broadcasting officials and related staff for continuing our activities without recognizing that our artist was in close contact with the confirmed patient.”
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