You’re not hearing things, we’re talking about the location where the recently-popular Korean series was based on, Itaewon.
A 29 year-old man visiting five clubs in Itaewon is one of the many likely reasons that potentially caused the “second wave” of infections in the country.
This popular district in Seoul is once again in the spotlight, not because of the drama, but because idols have been spotted in the vicinity following a spike in Covid-19 cases in South Korea.
- What happened?
Korean tabloid Dispatch reported that BTS’ Jungkook, SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu, ASTRO’s Cha Eun-woo and NCT’s Jaehyun were there on 25 April. Reports stated that they visited two entertainment facilities together after being at a restaurant.
The four boyband idols took a test and all tested negative for the virus, their individual entertainment labels said.
- Jaehyun and Eunwoo’s apology ordeal, and more
Following the incident, Jaehyun and Eunwoo have come forward to post handwritten apology letters on their Instagram handles.
But netizens did not seem to be pleased. Many found jarring similarities in their apology letters, and some commented that “it is almost a point where they quoted each other”.
Others were livid and criticized the BTS member Jungkook for not coming out to apologise for his misdeeds during the Itaewon outing. Naysayers have found fault with the 22 year-old singer and expressed disappointment in his actions.
- The aftermath
Netizens have set up another petition to demand ASTRO’s Eun-woo and NCT’s Jaehyun exit in broadcasts they have appeared in.
Cha Eun-woo is currently a fixed cast member of SBS’s variety entertainment programme “Master in the House” and is currently promoting ASTRO’s latest album “Gateway”.
NCT’s Jaehyun is also the emcee of the SBS music programme “Inkigayo”.
- The irony
These idols have previously encouraged medical staff who fight hard in the frontlines, struggling to battle the virus.
The subsequently came under harsh criticism because of their agency’s complacency, and because their actions were not a reflection of what they preach.
