BTS‘ Jimin is the latest member of the K-pop supergroup to test positive for COVID-19. The 26-year-old singer (born Park Ji-min), was hospitalized on Sunday (Jan. 30) after suffering from abdominal pain and a mild sore throat, according to a statement from management agency Big Hit Music.
Reuters reported that Jimin underwent surgery for acute appendicitis on Monday (Jan. 31), at which point it was also revealed that he’d tested positive for coronavirus. “The surgery was successful and Jimin is currently recuperating after his procedure,” Big Hit Music said in the statement, noting that he was making a “speedy recovery” from his COVID-19 infection.
At press time no further information was available on Jimin’s hospitalization and a spokesperson for the group had not returned a request for comment. Jimin is believed to be the fourth member of BTS to contract COVID, following on the heels of reports that RM, Jin and Suga tested positive in December.
Earlier this month, Big Hit issued two statements via Weverse announcing that the BTS singers were no longer in quarantine, and thanked the group’s loyal ARMY for the outpouring of support while they were sick. “We would like to inform you that BTS members RM and Jin have made full recoveries from COVID-19 and his quarantine has concluded as of today at noon, Jan. 4,” the Jan. 4 statement read. “RM and Jin who had been receiving treatment from home for the past 10 days from Saturday, Dec. 25, are now able to return to their daily activities. Neither member exhibited any particular symptoms during their quarantine. Jin had a slight fever when he first began treatment at home but has since made a full recovery.”
Jimin is the latest in a long line of musicians who’ve opened up about their COVID-19 status recently, including Liam Payne, Elton John, Roberta Flack, Jason Isbell and John Mayer, among many others.