K-Pop Star Suga Tests Positive for COVID-19 after BTS Return from US

Suga, songwriter and rapper for K-pop sensation BTS, has tested positive for the coronavirus. (Reuters)
Suga, songwriter and rapper for K-pop sensation BTS, has tested positive for the coronavirus. (Reuters)
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K-Pop Star Suga Tests Positive for COVID-19 after BTS Return from US

Suga, songwriter and rapper for K-pop sensation BTS, has tested positive for the coronavirus. (Reuters)
Suga, songwriter and rapper for K-pop sensation BTS, has tested positive for the coronavirus. (Reuters)

Suga, songwriter and rapper for K-pop sensation BTS, has tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from in-person concerts in the United States, the group's management said on Friday.

Suga, 28, whose real name is Min Yoon-gi, was confirmed to have contracted the virus on Friday during his self quarantine upon his return home on Thursday, according to Bit Hit Music .

He had received his second COVID-19 vaccination in August, had not come in contact with any other members recently and was not showing any symptoms, the company said.

"He is currently administering self-care at home," it said in a statement. "We see the artists' health as our top priority, and will do everything we can to aid SUGA in his speedy recovery."

The band has had "a number of personal engagements in the United States" after holding their first in-person concerts in Los Angeles since the start of the pandemic.

Big Hit has said BTS would take a break over year-end holidays and prepare for a new concert and album.

Since their 2013 debut, BTS has spearheaded a global K-Pop craze with catchy, upbeat music and dances, as well as lyrics and social campaigns aimed at empowering young people.

The group won the top prize of artist of the year at the American Music Awards for the first time in November, and best pop song for their summer hit "Butter," among other awards.

As the pandemic swept the world, BTS postponed and then called off what would have been their biggest global tour involving nearly 40 concerts last year, resorting to online shows.



Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations, Followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar

Lady Gaga. (AFP)
Lady Gaga. (AFP)
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Lady Gaga Leads 2025 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations, Followed by Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar

Lady Gaga. (AFP)
Lady Gaga. (AFP)

Abracadabra, feel the beat under your feet — Lady Gaga is back on top.

The “Mayhem” musician tops the 2025 the MTV Video Music Award nominations with 12, ending Taylor Swift's two-year run in the top spot.

Gaga is up for best collaboration, pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, visual effects as well as song, video, album and artist of the year.

Rounding out the artist of the year category nominees announced Tuesday are Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen and The Weeknd as well as Beyoncé and Swift. The latter two are especially noteworthy because the two pop powerhouses are tied for the title of most career total VMAs. Each have 30.

Beyoncé and Swift are only nominated in the artist of the year category at September's VMAs, so if one of them wins, they will become the most-awarded musician in VMA history.

Gaga is followed closely by Bruno Mars, with 11 nominations. Lamar has 10. Sabrina Carpenter and first-time nominee Blackpink’s ROSÉ are tied with eight; as are Ariana Grande and The Weeknd with seven. Billie Eilish has six. Charli xcx has five.

Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus and Tate McRae boast four each.

The top prize of the night, video of the year, sees Gaga and Mars’ “Die With A Smile” go up against Grande’s “Brighter Days Ahead,” Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” ROSÉ and Mars’ “APT.”, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild,” and The Weeknd, and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless.”

The three-hour show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific, broadcast live from the UBS Arena just outside New York City. It will also simulcast on MTV and be available to stream on Paramount+. A one-hour live preshow will air across Paramount Media Networks.

CBS is home to a number of award shows, including the Tony Awards and the American Music Awards. It has aired the Grammys since 1973, though that show will head to ABC in 2027.

This year's Video Music Awards features 33 first-time nominees, which include Alex Warren, Blake Shelton, Brent Faiyaz, Gigi Perez, KATSEYE and Lainey Wilson. Mac Miller also became the first artist to get their first VMA nomination posthumously.

There are also two new categories this year, best country and best pop artist.

Fan voting began online Tuesday across 19 gender neutral categories and ends Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. Eastern.

Voting in the best new artist category will remain active during the show.