BTS's Jungkook apologizes over Itaewon visit

Jungkook: “From now on, I will be more careful in my thoughts and actions always and everywhere.” Korea Times file

By Dong Sun-hwa

Jungkook of K-pop megastars BTS apologized Saturday for visiting a restaurant and bars in Seoul's Itaewon in April, during a nationwide social distancing campaign (March 22-May 5) to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“I am truly sorry for those who have had a hard time and strived to battle the virus. I feel the same for other BTS members who always stand by me,” Jungkook said on Naver's V Live. “I was also heavy-hearted as my beloved fans might have had a difficult time because of me.”

He added, “I talked a lot with the members and reflected on myself. I wanted to speak directly to you live ― from now on, I will be more careful in my thoughts and actions always and everywhere.”

The singer was a guest on the radio program “DJ Suga's Honey FM 06.13,” hosted by BTS rapper Suga on V Live. The program ended Saturday.

Jungkook and three other K-pop stars ― NCT 127's Jaehyun, Seventeen's Mingyu and Astro's Cha Eun-woo ― stirred a debate after the quartet's Itaewon visit on April 25 was reported on May 18. The nightlife district in Seoul was the center of cluster outbreaks of the coronavirus in early May.

In the wake of the controversy, Big Hit Entertainment representing BTS revealed that Jungkook tested negative for the virus and apologized, saying, “The singer has been deeply regretting what he did. We will make sure to prevent the recurrence of an incident like this.”

Jungkook debuted as a BTS member in 2013 with the album “2 COOL 4 SKOOL” and recently released a solo track “Still With You.”