The Morning Calm Post

KATSEYE, the joint girl group from HYBE and Geffen Records, has announced that member Sophia will temporarily pause activities ahead of the release of the group's new EP "WILD." With Manon already taking a break from team activities since February for health and stability reasons, Sophia's hiatus means the group will continue its schedule as a four-member lineup for the time being.

KATSEYE is facing another member absence ahead of its comeback. According to reports published on August 8, 2026 KST, member Sophia will not participate in team activities for the time being due to health concerns. In an official statement, KATSEYE's side explained that Sophia's mental health and well-being need to be prioritized, and said she was advised after consultation with medical professionals to take sufficient rest and continue receiving care.

KATSEYE is preparing to release its third EP "WILD" on August 14, 2026 KST, and has been building comeback momentum with the pre-release single "Animal." The group is also scheduled to begin "THE WILDWORLD Tour," a 31-show world tour across 10 countries in North America and Europe, from September. With a new album, tour and overseas promotion all ahead, fans' attention is naturally turning to how the group's upcoming schedule will proceed after one member chose to rest.

KATSEYE's side said that Sophia has a strong desire to stand on stage, but emphasized that the artist's health, safety and long-term well-being come first. Sophia's condition is scheduled to be reviewed again in September 2026 KST, and further updates are expected to be shared with fans afterward. A specific diagnosis or detailed condition was not disclosed.

Sophia also shared her thoughts directly through social media. She expressed regret over not being able to join several schedules, while saying that although she loves the stage and performing, she is accepting the need to prioritize her health. She also conveyed the idea that unless she takes care of her mind and body, it would be difficult to continue doing the work she loves most for a long time. Her message is closer to asking fans to understand the hiatus not simply as an absence, but as a recovery process for long-term activities.

The news carries greater weight for KATSEYE because Manon's hiatus has already been ongoing. Manon temporarily paused team activities in February 2026 KST for health and stability reasons. At the time, HYBE and Geffen Records explained that Manon would rest in order to focus on her health and well-being, while the group would continue its scheduled activities. Since then, Manon has been away from official team activities for about half a year. With Sophia also beginning a break, KATSEYE will operate for now around Daniela, Megan, Yoonchae and Lara.

KATSEYE is a global girl group introduced jointly by HYBE and Geffen Records. Formed through "The Debut: Dream Academy," the team has drawn attention as a case combining the Korean idol training system with the production and distribution structure of the U.S. music market. Its member lineup is also multinational. Because the group was planned with the global market in mind, its scope of activity stretches widely across album releases, U.S. and European promotions, festivals, tours and documentary-style content. This structure can increase the team's growth potential, while also placing a significant schedule burden on individual members.

Sophia's break also overlaps with activities for the new EP "WILD." The release is being introduced as a work that will show KATSEYE's next musical direction. The pre-release single "Animal" serves to set the mood before the comeback. In general, a pre-release single previews an album's color and carries attention into the title track or main album activities. This time, however, member absences have emerged as a key variable for the promotion. Apart from musical evaluation, stage formation, part distribution, interviews and promotional methods may be reorganized around the members currently able to participate.

The world tour is also an important schedule. "THE WILDWORLD Tour," set to begin in September across 10 countries in North America and Europe with 31 shows, can be seen as KATSEYE's first major long-term concert schedule meeting overseas fans directly. Compared with album promotions, tours bring heavier physical demands. Travel, rehearsals, performances and local promotions repeat, and each city's environment and time difference can also affect members' condition. In that sense, the agency's plan to review Sophia's condition again in September 2026 KST can also be read in connection with the tour schedule.

Of course, promoting as a four-member lineup will not be an easy task for the team. KATSEYE was originally designed as a six-member group. Choreography formations, vocal parts, stage movement, interview structure and visual balance were likely all planned around six members. If Sophia is absent after Manon, the stage will inevitably need to be adjusted.

KATSEYE's next schedule is likely to continue as planned. What is commonly confirmed in domestic and overseas reports is that the group will continue activities while Sophia rests. The EP "WILD" release, pre-release single "Animal" and world tour are the current pillars of the team's activities. Participating members, stage structure and promotional methods may be adjusted depending on the situation. Since the agency has announced a plan to review Sophia's condition in September 2026 KST, the timing of her return and the scope of her future participation will need to await additional announcements after that.

Summary Points

• KATSEYE member Sophia will not participate in team activities for the time being due to health concerns.
• The agency said Sophia's mental health and well-being will be prioritized, and that she will rest and continue care following medical advice.
• Sophia's condition is scheduled to be reviewed again in September 2026 KST.
• Manon has been resting from activities since February 2026 KST for health and stability reasons.
• KATSEYE will release its third EP "WILD" on August 14, 2026 KST and is preparing for a North America and Europe world tour from September.