Stray Kids’ Lee Know has fans deeply worried after recent airport photos appeared to show him dealing with a painful-looking infection linked to a piercing.
On January 30, 2026, Lee Know was photographed at the airport as Stray Kids carried out their official schedule. While his visuals immediately drew attention as usual, fans quickly noticed something else — redness and swelling around his ear, where he appeared to be wearing a hoop earring in a newly pierced spot.
The images rapidly spread across online communities and social media, with fans expressing alarm over what looked like a possible piercing infection.
Many pointed out the visible irritation around the piercing, speculating that the hoop earring may have aggravated the area before it had fully healed.
this is why you don't put hoops on a recent piercing… https://t.co/IE88Ol5Pbh
— jo ⚕ hs4 (@lixiesparker) January 30, 2026
brother change your piercing into a stud 😭 the hoop is irritating it… https://t.co/bAI2yl4RbK
— al 🍒 (@88cheorries) January 30, 2026
Despite the apparent irritation, he continued with his schedule, further fueling fans’ worries about idols enduring physical pain behind the scenes. Some fans also voiced frustration, wondering why fansites chose to focus on the injury.
why we zooming in on his inflamed piercing https://t.co/tYDeunf2P6
— hai🪽is seeing bts !!! (@ihrtseulgi) January 30, 2026
why do we always have to make a big deal out of this like does no one ever think maybe he doesn’t want his swollen ear blasted in 4k on the internet https://t.co/LnDqK7ltZd
— isa ౨ৎ (@922novel) January 30, 2026
Although no official statement has been released regarding the condition of Lee Know’s piercing, the incident has once again highlighted how even small details like a new piercing can quickly become a major point of concern when it comes to idols’ health. Fans have offered their pieces of advice such as salt water spray, switching out the piercing, and more.
