'Deeply regretful': BTS star Jungkook tests negative for Covid-19 after breaking social distancing rules

The singer was one of several K-pop celebrities to visit a restaurant in an area of Seoul that saw a spike in coronavirus cases this month

Jungkook of BTS has tested negative for the coronavirus. Getty Images

K-pop star Jungkook, a member of the popular music group BTS, has tested negative for the coronavirus after visiting a restaurant and bar in Seoul, South Korea, the band's label Big Hit Entertainment confirmed.

It was reported that a group of stars went on a night out in the upmarket neighbourhood of Itaewon in late April. This includes Jungkook, NCT 127's Jaehyun, Seventeen's Mingyu and Cha Eun-woo from Astro.

Itaewon was the source of a recent spike in Covid-19 cases after a patient with the virus reportedly visited clubs in the area in early May. Once the case was confirmed, Korea's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters requested that anyone who had visited the area's clubs, bars and other entertainment facilities between April 24 and May 6 refrain from leaving their homes.

The BTS member has since said he's "deeply regretful" for breaking social distancing rules, although it is yet to be confirmed whether the group were out together.

Big Hit Entertainment issued a statement, saying: "The artist himself is currently feeling deeply regretful for not having faithfully contributed to the entire society's social distancing efforts."

It continued: "He showed no symptoms of Covid-19 such as coughing or a fever following the visit. He voluntarily received a test for Covid-19 at a government-designated hospital and tested negative."

Jaehyun, Mingyu and Cha Eun-woo have also since tested negative for the virus.

The outing reportedly took place on April 25, just a few days before it was announced that BTS would be postponing their highly anticipated Map of the Soul world tour because of the global coronavirus outbreak.

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The label released a statement on the postponement at the time, saying the decision "was made with the health and safety of our artists and fans in foremost consideration".

The K-pop boy band will, however, livestream a concert called Bang Bang Con the Live next month.

The event will be ticketed and take place on Sunday, June 14 at 6pm (Korean time) or 1pm in the UAE.