IST Entertainment announced yesterday that Shin Jiyoon of their girl group Weeekly will permanently leave the group to focus on her mental health.
According to the label, Shin has dealt with anxiety since Weeekly’s’s debut in June 2020. The seven-member group debuted with the album “We Are” and title track music video “Tag Me.”
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all Daileee for the huge love you give to Weeekly, and we bring you this sudden announcement with a heavy heart. After experiencing symptoms of anxiety during promotions, Shin Jiyoon of Weeekly took two breaks last summer and this spring to focus wholly on her treatment and recovery.”
“With the artist’s health as our top priority, Jiyoon herself, her family, medical experts, and IST Entertainment had been cautiously discussing whether she was ready to resume her activities. However, we have reached the decision that Jiyoon needs to be in an environment where she can focus on her mental health above all else and that she should continue to focus on receiving treatment.”
“We deeply apologize for the concern we have caused, and we ask for your unwavering support for Jiyoon so that she can regain her bright and lovely energy. Furthermore, we hope you will continue to cheer on the six members who will work hard to fill the empty spot of ‘Wednesday.’”
As the statement mentions, Shin took two hiatuses prior to this departure due to her anxiety. She temporarily paused activities with the group in August 2021, rejoining in December and again pausing in March with no activity since.
Around that time, Weeekly made their most recent comeback with the single album “Play Game: Awake” and the music video “Ven Para” on March 7.
Each member of Weeekly — Monday, Soojin, Jihan, Lee Jaehee, Zoa, Park Soeun and Shin Jiyoon — are given a designated day of the week, with Shin’s assigned Wednesday now vacant. Shin was a lead vocalist and a sub-rapper for the group.
Weeekly is slated to perform at HallyuPopFest in London next month. Other performing artists include Everglow, Mamamoo’s Hwasa, Astro and Kep1er.
Feature Image via 1theK
