Actress Shin Se-kyung (Instagram)

The current MERS outbreak in South Korea has prompted many residents to wear protective facemasks and celebrities are no exception.

Several K-pop singers and actors shared selfies looking more covered-up than usual wearing facemasks.

Actress Shin Se-kyung shared a selfie wearing a mask at an airport, Monday, as did comedian Yang Sang-gook last week. Actor Byun Yo-han also shared two mask selfies over the past two days.

K-pop singers Victoria from f(x), Lee Gi-kwang from BEAST, Jeong Jin-woon from 2AM, Zico from Block B also shared photos wearing protective facemasks last week.

f(x) singer Victoria (Instagram)

“Masks are a must-have,” wrote Victoria, while Zico said, ”Wash your hands, wear a mask (to) avoid MERS.“

South Korea has the second highest number of MERS cases in the world, after Saudi Arabia where the disease is said to have originated. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the potentially fatal disease, which kills about 3-4 in every 10 patients. Seven MERS patients have died in South Korea.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome was first reported in South Korea on May 20.

BEAST singer Lee Gi-kwang (Instagram)

2AM singer Jeong Jin-woon (Instagram)

BlockB rapper Zico (Instagram)

Actor Byun Yo-han (Instagram)

By Yoon Sarah (sarah356@heraldcorp.com)