MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / K-POP NEWS

Is Jiyoon OK? Weeekly member exits girl group due to health complications

One fan said, 'I just wanna give her the biggest hug and say that everything is gonna be fine'

It seems like K-pop idols are finally putting their health and well-being first while fans are also being extremely supportive of their faves. Over the past few years, the issue of mental health and anxiety has received a lot of attention in the K-pop industry as idols are voicing their struggles and taking much-needed breaks in order to restore their mental or physical health. Weeekly debuted as a seven-member girl group in 2020 but over the years, Jiyoon has been vocal about her health issues and had to undergo hiatuses in order to get better to be able to promote with the IST Entertainment girl group.

From TWICE’s Jeongyeon to Ateez’s Mingi, many idols have announced their temporary hiatuses from K-pop groups due to mental health complications. Weeekly’s Jiyoon was also one such girl group member who announced her hiatus due to anxiety back in February of 2022. It was not the first time Jiyoon had to take a break from activities as an idol due to health complications and as much as fans hoped for the Weeekly member to push through and continue as a part of the girl group, it seems like she will have to give up on the group.

READ MORE

Are fourth-gen idols overworked? Tri.be's Jinha announces hiatus due to health issues

Kingdom’s Chiwoo announces exit from the K-pop group, fans say: ‘Don't erase him'

Weeekly's Jiyoon departs from the girl group

On June 1, IST Entertainment, the label that manages the activities of Weeekly announced that Jiyoon would be departing from the seven-member girl group altogether and the group would now perform as a six-member collective. The label reported that Weeekly’s Shin Ji-yoon (Jiyoon) had taken two breaks over the last summer and present spring due to her mental health issues related to anxiety that she felt during her activities. During her hiatus, it was reported that Jiyoon spend her time concentrating on recovering her health.

After her most recent period of hiatus, Jiyoon herself as well as her family members and medical specialists had been discussing her activities as a member of Weeekly with the label. The label reported that the discussion concluded that it is necessary and best for Jiyoon to focus on treatment after that. The label also stated that starting from June 1, 2022, Weeekly would promote as a six-member girl group while Jiyoon would officially cap off her activities with the girl group.

#ThankYouJiyoon

Fans are understanding of Jiyoon’s situation and respect her decision to exit the girl group she made her debut with as they thank her for the time she spent with Weeekly. One fan said, “I just wanna give her the biggest hug and say that everything is gonna be fine. and she did so well all this time. we see all her hard work since predebut. she's the most talented beautiful girl on earth.” One more fan said, “Remember that jiyoon has been there since day 1, the longest weeekly member along with soojin and soeun. she get through mixnine day, playM girls day untill debuted with weeekly. she has been a strong girl until then but now she has passed her limit, hope this is the best for her.”

Another fan said, “Our precious jiyoon we will always love and appreciate you, thank you for everything you’ve done for weeekly and daileees.” One fan said, “To weeekly's 2nd oldest, mercury, wednesday, little hamster & sunshine. thank you so much for everything. daileees will always be right by your side supporting you on your next journey. We love you, shin jiyoon.” One more fan said, “Weeekly will be 7 forever in my heart and mind.” One more fan said, “We want to thank you for existing and coming into our lives. We will always love you and support you forever, we will never forget that bright bright smile of yours. Thank you for everything Jiyoon.”