SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu Personally Apologizes For Visiting Itaewon Club In May

On June 22, SEVENTEEN held an online showcase for their most recent release, their seventh mini-album Henggarae. It was a time for celebration, but also a time of solemn reflection for one member—Mingyu.

The end of this past May, Mingyu and three others—NCT‘s Jaehyun, ASTRO‘s Cha Eunwoo, and BTS‘s Jungkook—were reported to have visited entertainment establishments in Itaewon (an area in Seoul) during the nationwide social distancing period to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

From left: Mingyu, Cha Eunwoo, Jungkook, Jaehyun

Immediately after it was made public that the four had visited Itaewon during the social distancing period, all four agencies issued statements with explanations and apologies, with some of the guys even presenting a handwritten letter of apology to their fans.

Read PLEDIS Entertainment‘s official statement regarding the incident below:

Mingyu is reflecting on his misbehavior regarding the failure to keep social distancing during the government’s mandatory social distancing period. Immediately after confirming his presence there, he showed no symptoms of Covid-19 such as fever or coughing, but because there were concerns about being an asymptomatic carrier, he voluntarily agreed to be tested. His results were negative, and since then has been maintaining above average personal hygiene and self-isolation.

—PLEDIS Entertainment

Today (June 22), Mingyu apologized to fans for his involvement in attending Itaewon clubs at the end of this past May.

I’m sorry for disappointing everyone with my recent poor decisions. I’m sorry to the fans and members who have always supported me, and to everyone who’s working hard to help overcome this crisis.

—Mingyu

Your browser does not support video.

The apology was a contrast to the otherwise happy and upbeat of the mini-album. However, Mingyu and the rest of his members don’t want this to be a deterrent from the excitement around their latest release, which ironically carries messages of positive energy to “go ahead without fear,” (from their lead single “Left & Right”).