Exo boy band member Xiumin tests positive for Covid-19

The news of his positive diagnosis coincides with the anniversary of the formation of the group's fan club

Kim Minseok (Xiumin) of South Korean boy group Exo has tested positive for Covid-19. Shutterstock

Exo member Xiumin, real name Kim Min-seok, has tested positive for Covid-19. The news was confirmed by Exo’s agency, SM Entertainment, which released a statement.

“On July 29, Xiumin received a Covid-19 PCR test in order to practice for his musical and tested negative. However, he received an additional PCR test on August 4 due to symptoms of changes in his health, and he was diagnosed today (August 5),” says the agency.

“As a result, Exo members and his staff members have also been tested for Covid-19 and are in self-quarantine while they wait for results.”

Xiumin has recently been filming his new web variety show called Xiumin’s Tennis King Tomorrow. It was created because of the star’s desire to learn tennis.

SM Entertainment also said: “Xiumin will immediately stop all schedules and actively follow the instructions of the quarantine authorities and we will do our best so that the artist recovers quickly.”

The news of his diagnosis comes on a significant date known as Exo-L anniversary day. It is the date of the creation of the band’s fan club. Fans gather online to celebrate not only Exo, but also themselves.

Some have taken to Twitter to wish the star a fast recovery.

Who are Exo?

Exo is a South Korean boy band that was founded in 2011 with 12 members. However, over the years, a few members have departed and the group now has nine artists.

Their debut album XOXO was the bestselling album in Korea in 2013. In January 2018, seven members of the group travelled to Dubai to see their song Power added to the Dubai Fountain’s list of melodies, becoming the first K-pop group to get the honour.

Members of Exo in Dubai. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Seven members of the band made the trip to Dubai. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Exo watches the Dubai Fountain play their song Power. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Members of Exo walk out to watch the Dubai Fountain show. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Members of Exo greet their fans from the other side of the Dubai Fountain. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Members of the K-pop boy band Exo watch their song being synced along to the Dubai Fountain. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

The crowd that came out to see Exo's Power get included into the Dubai Fountain list of melodies on January 16. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

Members of Exo pose in front of the Burj Khalifa during their visit to Dubai last year. Courtesy Dubai Tourism

The members who made the trek to Dubai were Suho, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chen, Chanyeol, Kai and Sehun.

Exo returned later that year to take part in SM Town Live in April 2018, when they performed along with a number of K-pop acts such as BoA, Super Junior, SHINee and Red Velvet.