TWICE’s Jeongyeon Will Take A Hiatus From “Eyes Wide Open” Promotions Due To Anxiety

Recover well, Jeongyeon!

In a saddening new announcement, JYP Entertainment tells fans Jeongyeon will not be participating in promotions for TWICE‘s new album Eyes Wide Open due to anxiety.

TWICE is set to release a second studio album, Eyes Wide Open, and new title track (“I Can’t Stop Me”) in just over a week on October 26. While ONCEs expected TWICE to promote the comeback as nine members, a new announcement from JYP Entertainment reveals that Jeongyeon won’t be participating.

According to the statement, Jeongyeon is currently suffering from “psychological anxiousness” in moving forward with TWICE’s promotional activities. The company states that they consulted deeply with both Jeongyeon and the rest of the TWICE members. All parties involved came to the conclusion that Jeongyeon needs to undergo “professional medical measures” as well as “sufficient rest“.

As such, she will be unable to attend any of TWICE’s activities for Eyes Wide Open for the foreseeable future. It is likely that this will include any music show performances and online video call fansigns the group may be holding, as well as live broadcasts. However, given that Jeongyeon has been present in the album’s teasers, there’s no reason to expect she won’t be in the “I Can’t Stop Me” music video.

We value our artists’ mental health more than anything.

— JYP Entertainment

The company concluded its statement by asking fans to show “love and support” to Jeongyeon as she embarks on anxiety recovery. As soon as the statement was released, fans began sending Jeongyeon well wishes on Twitter with the hashtags #GetWellSoonJeongyeon and #WeLoveYouJeongyeon.

However, a lot of fans have been unable to stay positive, directing their frustrations at JYP Entertainment. Many ONCEs are holding the company at fault, suggesting that the members have been “overworked” to the point of anxiety.

Jeongyeon is the second member of TWICE to take a hiatus due to anxiety. Mina was previously diagnosed with anxiety disorder in August 2019 and was unable to participate in promotions for quite some time.

In an interview with TIME, Nayeon later revealed that all the members have experienced similar anxieties and pressures. Dahyun also made it clear that mental health is one of the “most important things the members should take care of“, alongside physical health.

Some fans believe Jeongyeon’s physical health could also be at play. Earlier this year, Jeongyeon had to sit out on TWICE’s activities after injuring her neck. During a live broadcast, she confessed to fans that she was actually diagnosed with a herniated disc during rehearsals for “More & More”, undergoing hospital treatment secretly. She continued to participate in performances despite her injury.

Now, fans are wondering if her difficulty performing injured led to her anxiety disorder. Mina also experienced injuries (in her ankles and legs) shortly before taking an anxiety-related hiatus. She was seen on at least one occasion performing with kinesiology tape on her legs.

Whatever side fans fall on, ONCEs are all hoping Jeongyeon takes as much time as she needs to recover fully, no matter how much they’ll miss her. Read the full statement from JYP Entertainment below.

Hello, this is JYPE.

We would like to inform you about TWICE member Jeongyeon’s current health situation and her further participation in TWICE’s activity.

Currently, Jeongyeon is experiencing psychological anxiousness in moving forward with her schedule. Therefore, after deep discussions with Jeongyeon herself and other TWICE members, we have decided that it is needed for Jeongyeon to have sufficient rest and absolute stability, accompanied by professional medical measures.

Because we value our artists’ mental and physical health more than anything, we inform you that Jeongyeon will be unable to attend TWICE’s activities regarding the 2nd Full Album for the time being. We will keep you updated on any changes in the future.

We ask for your love and support for Jeongyeon’s full recovery.

Thank you.

— JYP Entertainment

Source: @JYPETWICE (Twitter)

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