Japanese pop group JO1 pulled out of this weekend’s KCON LA due to COVID-19.
Five of the 11 members of the J-pop group have tested positive for the coronavirus, the group’s agency Lapone Entertainment revealed in a statement on its website on August 15. As a result, JO1 will not appear at KCON LA, the K-pop festival and convention marking its 10th anniversary in Los Angeles this weekend.
The first member of JO1 to test positive for COVID-19 was Sato Keigo, who reported symptoms last Friday. After testing positive, Lapone Entertainment said, the rest of the group took tests, revealing that four others had also contracted the virus: Takumi Kawanishi, Sukai Kinjo, Issei Mamehara and Junki Kono.
KCON also shared the news of JO1’s withdrawal from the KCON LA line-up, releasing a statement that read, “After discussing the matter with the artist’s agency, we have decided not to make their presence count. given the health of our fans, artists and staffs [sic] as the top priority.
Refunds will not be offered due to this change in roster, KCON said. See the statement below:
KCON 2022 THE RANGE CHANGES pic.twitter.com/yEhG2KUpGm
— KCON official (@KCON_official) August 15, 2022
JO1 was formed from the top 11 trainees from the first season of the Japanese edition of the reality TV talent contest Produce 101. They were scheduled to appear on KCON LA’s Sunday (August 21) alongside K-pop groups LOONA, NCT DREAM, NMIXX, P1Harmony, STAYC, The Boyz, TO1 and WJSN.
Dropping JO1 brings the total number of acts at KCON LA to 16, which includes Saturday artists ATEEZ, CRAVITY, ENHYPEN, ITZY, Kep1er, Lightsum and Stray Kids. Also performing at KCON are the counterparts of JO1, INI, the J-pop group made up of the best trainees from Produce 101 Japan season 2.
KCON LA runs August 19-21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Crypto.com Arena. Tickets for the concerts are still available on Ticketmaster, and tickets for the convention can be purchased through the official KCON LA website.
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