Three BTS members catch Covid-19

SEOUL • Three members of K-pop sensation BTS have tested positive for Covid-19 since returning from the United States, where they held their first in-person concerts since the pandemic began, the group's management said last Saturday.

Band leader RM, 27, and vocalist Jin, 29, tested positive for the virus last Saturday, according to Big Hit Music. The announcement came a day after the agency confirmed that Suga, 28, another member of the septet, was "administering self-care at home" following a positive test.

The South Korean group gave their first offline concerts since the start of the pandemic in Los Angeles, which took place from late last month to early this month.

They have been on holiday since then, and each of the three infected members returned to South Korea on different dates.

While RM, whose real name is Kim Nam-joon, and Suga, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, are asymptomatic, Jin, the stage name for Kim Seok-jin, has mild fever, the agency said.

All three members have been fully vaccinated and none had any contact with other group members after their return to South Korea, Big Hit Music added.

Among the three, RM and Suga received their positive tests while still in self-quarantine after arriving back home, while Jin was released from quarantine after testing negative and received his positive result later.

The news comes a month after another K-pop megastar Lalisa Manoban - better known as Lisa - of girl group Blackpink tested positive for Covid-19. The other members of Blackpink - Jennie, Jisoo and Rose - tested negative, production company, YG Entertainment, said in an e-mailed statement last month.

BTS have become a multibillion-dollar act, known for dynamic dance moves, catchy lyrics and fiercely devoted fans.

In 2018, the group - whose other members are J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook - became the first K-pop group to top the Billboard album chart with Love Yourself: Tear. In September this year, they gave a speech at the United Nations headquarters in New York, promoting coronavirus vaccinations and praising young people for their resiliency during the pandemic.

The band travelled to the US last month and also performed at the American Music Awards.

Big Hit Music announced later that members of BTS would be taking an "extended period of rest".

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, NYTIMES