Seventeen’s Mingyu apologizes for Itaewon trip
K-pop boy band Seventeen member Mingyu has apologized for going to the popular nightlife district of Itaewon in Seoul in April amid social distancing advice from the Korean government due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Mingyu made the statement during Seventeen’s comeback showcase on June 22 for their new album “Heng:garae.”
“Lately, I have disappointed many people for my faulty action. Therefore, I want to take this chance to personally apologize to you guys,” Mingyu said, according to JTBC Plus.
He added, “I’m sorry all the fans who have love and support me warmly, the members who have worked hard, as well as those who are doing your best to rectify the consequences of my mistake. In the future, with better actions, I will show you images that won’t disappoint you.”
An online Korean entertainment outlet reported on May 18 that Mingyu along with BTS’ Jungkook, NCT 127’s Jaehyun and Astro’s Cha Eun Woo went to a restaurant and two bars in Itaewon on April 25 and stayed there until the wee hours of April 26.
A 29-year-old man from Yongin in Gyeonggi Province who visited five clubs in Itaewon on May 1 and 2 tested positive for the virus on May 6, resulting in cluster infection that increased the total number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea.
The Korea Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (KCDC) said 274 COVID-19 positive cases were linked to the Itaewon cluster infection.
Mingyu is the last among the four “Itaewon idols” to issue a personal apology. Jaehyun was the first to personally apologize with a letter he uploaded on Instagram on May 18 followed by Cha Eun Woo on May 19. Jungkook apologized on fellow BTS member Suga’s Honey FM 06.13 program on June 6.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) warned on
April 24, or a day before the idols’ visit to Itaewon, that “COVID-19 outbreak is still ongoing even though the number of new confirmed cases has been small lately.”
It “asked people to actively cooperate in Social Distancing and asked people to be careful this weekend regarding religious facilities and nightlife facilities.”
Seventeen are now under Big Hit Entertainment family after the latter took over Pledis Entertainment by acquiring a majority stake in the company in May.