Kim Getting Better From Influenza A

South Korean pop idol and actor Kim Hyun-jung is recovering from his contraction of influenza A (H1N1) in Tokyo, his manager said Wednesday.

Kim was quoted as saying, ``I am sorry to have surprised fans. I will make efforts to get better and meet with fans soon."

Kim, a member of boy band SS501, was confirmed to have been infected with the contagious disease Tuesday and is now hospitalized in Tokyo.

Kim's manager said, ``His fever fell overnight and his sore throat eased a lot. He sounded OK this morning.''

Kim was the first Korean celebrity to be diagnosed with the disease, which has already affected more than 6,000 people in South Korea.

Kim is reportedly nervous about being absent from the Seoul Drama Awards, which will be held in Seoul Friday. He is projected to win the Asian best actor award.

According to Japanese showbiz insiders, Kim visited a hospital in Japan Tuesday after suffering from a high fever.

He was given the antiviral drug Tamiflu and placed in an isolation ward, where he may stay for 15 days.

Kim gained international fame after starring in the KBS smash hit ``Boys Over Flowers'' as a handsome tycoon heir earlier this year. He went to Japan to promote the drama and was supposed to be there from Saturday through Monday.

Source: Korea Times