Update: Kep1er Announces New Release Date For Postponed Debut Album "FIRST IMPACT"

Updated December 8 KST:

The new date has been revealed for Kep1er’s upcoming debut!

It was previously shared on December 5 that Kep1er’s original debut date of December 14 will be postponed due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. On December 8, another statement was posted with the new release date.

Read the statement below:

This is WAKEONE Entertainment and Swing Entertainment.

We would like to announce that the release date of Kep1er’s first mini album “FIRST IMPACT,” which was scheduled for December 14, has been postponed to January 3, 2022 at 6 p.m. KST.

After one on-site staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on December 4, the Kep1er members were preemptively tested for COVID-19 and received negative tests. All related staff members were also tested immediately, and there were no additional confirmed cases.

However, considering the safety of artists and staff as the top priority, we have decided to cancel Kep1er’s performance on 2021 MAMA and adjust the album release schedule to avoid any further possibility of infection and transmission.

We apologize once again to fans and concerned parties who have been waiting for Kep1er’s debut. We will take any necessary measures to ensure that the artists and staff work in a safe environment.

Thank you.

Source (1)

Original Article:

Upcoming girl group Kep1er’s debut will be delayed.

On December 5, Kep1er’s agencies revealed that a staff member who works with the group had tested positive for COVID-19 the previous day. As a result, all of Kep1er’s activities have been suspended.

Read the agencies’ statement below:

Hello. This is WAKEONE Entertainment and Swing Entertainment.

We inform you that our artist Kep1er, who were preparing to debut on December 14, will be postponing their promotion plans.

On the morning of December 4, one of the staff members accompanying Kep1er tested positive for COVID-19. The moment the staff member showed suspicious symptoms of an infection, the artists were preemptively tested for COVID-19, and they have all tested negative. Currently, the members are not showing any symptoms of infection such as a fever or respiratory issues.

All related staff members have received COVID-19 tests, and there are no additional confirmed cases as of now. All those who have not received their results yet are in isolation.

To prioritize the health and safety of the members and staff, we have halted all scheduled activities, and therefore Kep1er’s promotional schedule will inevitably be pushed back. We relay our apologies to the fans who were waiting for Kep1er’s debut as well as the related personnel. We will share another announcement in the future regarding their resumption of activities.

We will take all possible measures so that our artists and staff can work in the safest environment, and we will faithfully follow the instructions and protocols of the health authorities. Thank you.

Kep1er is a nine-member girl group formed through Mnet’s audition program “Girls Planet 999.” The group had been scheduled to attend the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on December 11 ahead of their official debut on December 14.

Source (1)