Kim Hyun-joong Infected with H1N1

Various news and media outlets have been reporting that pop star Kim Hyun-joong has been confirmed to have influenza A (H1N1) and is hospitalized in Tokyo.  This disease has been spreading at an alarming rate here in Korea with about 6,500 people reported to have contracted it.  Japanese entertainment news officials reported that Hyun-joong had checked into a hospital in Yokohama due to a fever. After checks confirmed the H1N1, he given the antiviral drug Tamiflu and placed in an isolation ward where he will stay for 15 days.

Hyun-joong debuted with Kpop group SS501 in 2005 under entertainment agency DSP, but gained international fame when he starred as Yoon Ji Hoo in the Japanese remake drama (Hani Yori Dango), “Boys Over Flowers”.  SS501 is also currently hard at work on a new album in Japan.

**Edit
News outlets report that Hyun-joong is feeling better and his fever has gone down.  Kim’s manager said, “His fever fell overnight and his sore throat eased a lot. He sounded OK this morning.”  His main concern was missing out at the Seoul Drama Awards which will be held Friday.  He is expected to win the “Asian Best Actor” award.