Fans speculate iKON's comeback as agency halts activities after three members test COVID positive

On January 23, YG Entertainment released a statement announcing iKON halting activities. Jinhwan, Yunhyeong and Donghyuk experienced mild symptoms on January 22. After taking the self-test kits, the member’s results were positive. The men were then placed in self-quarantine.

The remaining members tested negative and are isolated in self-quarantine too. Meanwhile, fans have been speculating the kind of activities the group has lined up as they are yet to announce any official comeback since their participation in Kingdom: Legendary War.

iKON halts its activities, fans believe it is a clear indication of a comeback

Idols testing COVID positive continue to make headlines. In the latest case, iKON’s Jinhwan, Yunhyeon and Donghyuk tested positive for the virus in their self-test kit and PCR testing. Results for Bobby, Junhoe and Chanwoo returned negative.

YG Entertainment assured fans that the artists' health and safety remain their priority and offered unconditional support to the members. Currently, all members are isolated and practicing self-quarantine.

As the agency announced it was stopping scheduled activities to curb the spread, netizens were left wondering what these activities might mean. For the fans unversed with the group's schedules, the members have been busy with their multiple solo activities the past six months.

Chanwoo was cast as the lead in an upcoming horror rom-com drama alongside Kim So-jung in September last year. Yunhyeong is a fixed cast member of We Cycle, a variety show with other idols, while Junhoe was confirmed to join the upcoming movie with Jo Byeong-Gyu. Production reportedly began in October last year.

Keeping solo activities aside, fans also speculated that the statement might refer to the group’s yet unannounced comeback. In their January 18 livestream, Chanwoo and Yunhyeong gave a minor comeback spoiler in the form of a key dance move. The duo seemed excited about practicing the choreography, which fans think could have been the upcoming title track’s dance.

The fandom also pieced together other bits of information forming solid speculations, such as the group's Weverse Shop launching on January 24. The group's merch being available on Weverse and closing YG Select was a strong indication of something new brewing in the agency.

Fans showered the group with wishes of a quick and healthy recovery on Twitter, especially after learning the idols were excited about their upcoming comeback.

YG Entertainment is predicted to start its artists’ activities in mid-2022. Even though iKON wasn’t mentioned in the prediction report, fans believe a comeback is long overdue for the group.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

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