Manon, of global girl group KATSEYE, will take a break from all group-related activities to focus on her well-being and health, the label announced on Friday.
In a message to fans, the label explained the decision to take a break:
“Hello.
After open and thoughtful conversations together, we are sharing that Manon will be taking a temporary hiatus from group activities to focus on her health and wellbeing.
We fully support this decision. KATSEYE remains committed to showing up for one another and for the fans who mean everything to us. The group will continue scheduled activities during this time, and we look forward to being together again when the time is right.
Thank you to our EYEKONS for your continued love, patience, and understanding.
HxG.”
KATSEYE, the six-girl group that debuted in 2023 as the result of a joint survival project between HYBE and Geffen Records, will continue to participate in scheduled activities such as the music festival Lollapalooza Argentina, though Manon will be absent.
Not long after, Manon addressed the fans herself to tell them how she is doing.
“Hi friends 🤍.
I want you to hear this from me, I’m healthy, I’m okay, and I’m taking care of myself. Thank u for checking in! Sometimes things unfold in ways we don’t fully control, but I’m trusting the bigger picture. Thank you for standing by me. I love you endlessly and can’t wait to see you again.”
Her words, however, initiated a large outpouring of support from EYEKONS, the group’s fanbase, with many declaring that KATSEYE remains six members strong despite this hiatus.
The hiatus, however, has led to some online speculation among fans about what exactly is going on and whether this is a sign of a long-term evolution for the group.
One such fan wrote, “They’ve been soft-launching them as 5 for months, and the fans ate it up. When they saw the poster without her (she went the very next day alone) and covered her face… Call me weird or delusional if you want, but the way the company treats her is odd. You’re going to have to be mad at me for saying it. Excluding her from group things is weird. Why beg her to be in it if you’re going to cut her out like that?”
Another supporter wrote, “To me it sounds like she doesn’t want a hiatus, so what’s really going on?”
A third supporter vented about what she believed was a lack of protection from their company, saying, “It’s sad knowing no one’s protected her. HXG didn’t hesitate to pull down a video for another member, but Manon has been dealing with racism for two years, and she was still hurt by the narratives they created, and she still isn’t protected, yet they keep setting her up.”
There has still been no further information from their company regarding what exactly is going on with Manon and when she might be returning.
