A hiatus is a temporary break, pause, or interruption in activity. Whether in work, entertainment, or creative projects, it marks a period where something stops but is not officially ended. Hiatuses are common among artists and groups, such as Fifth Harmony’s break, One Direction’s ongoing hiatus since 2016, or Johnny Depp’s pause from music.
However, the concept of a hiatus differs noticeably between K-Pop and the Western music industry. In K-Pop, a hiatus can be voluntary or forced, often tied to health concerns, mental well-being, or scandal management. These breaks require formal statements from the company and an official “comeback” to resume activities. While many K-Pop hiatuses quietly become indefinite, not all are severe or permanent. In contrast, Western groups typically go on hiatus when members decide to pursue individual careers, placing group activities on hold.
Recently, one particular hiatus has gained significant media attention. On February 20th, 2026, Manon, a member of KATSEYE — a six-member global girl group formed by HYBE and Geffen Records — was announced to be on hiatus to focus on her “health and wellbeing.” Although this was the official explanation, the situation quickly sparked widespread speculation. Fans questioned whether the hiatus was truly her decision, with many feeling she was being unfairly singled out or even pushed out of the group. Discussions about potential mistreatment and racism spread rapidly as well.
Manon later reassured fans online that she was “happy and healthy,” saying she was having “positive conversations” with the label and felt supported. Yet, she also told a fan that she wished she was able to perform at Coachella; that comment suggested that her absence may not have been voluntary. This only intensified fans’ concerns and fueled rumors, some claiming she had been “set up for failure,” others blaming her bandmates for causing her absence. Despite all of the speculation, a large portion of the fandom continues to support Manon and remains hopeful that she will return soon.
Unfortunately, returning from a hiatus is not always an option for some K-Pop groups. In recent years, particularly within HYBE, several groups have faced member departures or have been placed on indefinite hiatus. One of the most widely discussed examples is NewJeans.
On March 23rd, 2025, NewJeans was placed on an indefinite hiatus following a highly publicized legal dispute involving allegations of broken trust, mismanagement, and the dismissal of their mentor and former CEO, Min Hee-jin. The court ultimately sided with HYBE’s sub-label, ADOR, preventing the group from pursuing independent activities while the contract-termination cases continued. As of May 3rd, 2026, the once five-member group has been reduced to a trio. Fans have been devastated by the news and continue to campaign for the return of Danielle and Minji.
Another HYBE group, ENHYPEN, recently experienced a sudden member departure as well. One member was removed from the group to pursue solo activities, with the company citing differing artistic visions and his desire to focus on personal projects, though he remains under the same agency. The announcement came abruptly during the group’s comeback promotions, leaving fans shocked, saddened, and frustrated.
The former member, Heeseung, now promoting under the stage name Evan, has received significant support despite the controversy. Many fans have noted that he has appeared visibly upset since leaving ENHYPEN, fueling speculation about whether the decision was entirely his own.
While these are some of the most significant and recent incidents in K-Pop, they are far from the only ones connected to HYBE. Other notable cases include LE SSERAFIM’s former member Garam, several Fromis_9 members, the disbanded group GLAM, and even issues involving pre-debut teams. HYBE is not the only company facing major hiatuses or member departures, but it is undeniably one of the most prominent agencies with these problems.
Regardless of where people stand on these controversies, one thing often remains: the artists themselves often bear the most weight of these decisions. All we can do is support those who are currently going through hiatuses, member losses, or the possibility of disbandment altogether.
Links:
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10728733
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/newjeans-ador-contract-termination-timeline-explained
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/former-enhypen-member-heeseung-announces-new-solo-era-as-evan
https://sites.google.com/view/garam-scandal/fabricated-proofs
