KATSEYE Goes 4-Member for Now as Sofia Pauses for Health: 'I'm Learning That Health Has to Come First'

KATSEYE member Sofia is stepping away from the group's upcoming promotions to focus on her health, her label announced on July 8. In a joint statement, HYBE and Geffen Records confirmed that Sofia will not take part in promotional schedules for the foreseeable future, adding that she will be "focusing on sufficient rest and treatment in accordance with medical advice."

Whether Sofia will return to active promotion depends on her recovery, with a reassessment planned for September.

Sofia also addressed her fans directly on social media, posting a message to the group's fandom, EYEKONS. She was candid about the difficulty of the decision. "This was not an easy decision to make, but I am learning that health has to come first," she wrote. "I am realizing that if I don't take care of my body and mind right now, I won't be able to continue doing what I love most for a long time."

The timing is notable. KATSEYE is gearing up to release their third mini album, WILD, on August 14, and Sofia's absence means the six-member multinational group will promote as a four-person lineup for now. Fellow member Maon is also currently on a health hiatus, leaving Yoonchae, Megan, Lara, and Daniela to carry the promotional cycle.

Despite the circumstances, the group's momentum heading into the release is real. Pre-release single "Animal" climbed one spot this week to land at No. 8 on Spotify's Weekly Top Songs Global chart (covering July 31 to August 6), marking KATSEYE's highest-ever position on that ranking. It's the kind of chart placement that signals the WILD era has genuine reach beyond the group's already-devoted fanbase.

KATSEYE was formed in 2023 through the reality competition Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, a collaboration between HYBE and Geffen Records, and has built a dedicated following as one of the few Western-market girl groups to come out of the K-pop industry pipeline. Fans on social media have responded to Sofia's announcement with support, with EYEKONS trending across platforms as the fandom rallied behind her decision to prioritize her wellbeing.

The group's four active members are expected to continue promotions through the WILD release and beyond, with Sofia's situation to be revisited once she has had time to recover.