JYJ's Jaejoong worried his fans when he announced that he was found positive of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), a disease that has killed over 47,000 people in the world to date. However, it turned out that it was an April Fool's Day prank, and now, he has deactivated his Instagram account from the amount of hate is receiving for the stunt.
It can be recalled that on April 1, JYJ's Jaejoong caused massive alarm when he announced on Instagram that he was tested positive of COVID-19. On a serious note, he also apologized to people whom he could have infected, reported the Los Angeles Times.
"It was because I lived carelessly, disregarding all of the cautions provided by the government and those around me," he said.
After receiving worrying messages from friends and fans, the singer finally came clean and clarified that the post was intended as an April Fool's joke.He apologized to his fans and said that he understood that his actions were way over the line, given that he made a lot of people scared and worried. He also said that he will welcome all the criticism and punishment he would get from his post.
However, netizens were not on a very forgiving mood, given the sensitive situation. Social media users minced no words in expressing their displeasure and disappointment over Jaejoong's lack of sensitivity about the pandemic, prompting the singer to deactivate his account.
Netizens expressed their disgust over the post that they described as "tasteless," "twisted" and "tragic."
In South Korea, the Coronavirus has affected close to 10,000 people and resulted in the death of 169 individuals. Several areas were also declared as special care zones by the government after an alarming spike in the number of cases.
Korean celebrities actually came to the aid of these cities by donating to Korea's national treasury and community chests to help finance the purchase of needed protective equipment to arrest the spread of the disease to more people.
Among the stars who donated to the cause were So Ji Sub and Lee Min Ho, who shelled out 300 million won each to help the needy. Itaewon Class' Park Seo Joon, Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Kim Woo Bin, Shin Min Ah, BTS Suga, Red Velvet Irene, and more stars also provided financial aid to the government to combat the disease.
Other celebrities also waived and implanted rent discounts for tenants living in their buildings to help people cope with the financial challenges brought about by COVID-19, Soompi reported.
