As JYP Entertainment's K-pop group ITZY performed on their Born To Be world tour concert at the Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Seoul, fans found an unexpected face enjoying in the crowd. Does this mean Lia is finally back in ITZY?
The fifth member of JYP's acclaimed all-girl K-pop group recently made a surprise appearance at her former members' recent concert stop.
This gave MIDZY (fans of ITZY) renewed hope that Lia could be returning soon. But is she, really? Here's what we know.
What Happened to Lia? Why is She on Hiatus?
The all-girl K-pop group has been active in the industry for six years, however, on September 18 last year, Lia announced her "temporary hiatus" due to mental health reasons.
As she wrote in a personal letter for MIDZY, "Although [our journey together] were such precious times, I came to realize that I've been gradually losing myself while running up to this point."
According to a rough translation of JYP's statement on Lia's mental health status, she prioritized her health recovery and has since then been unable to participate in ITZY's new album and scheduled world tour this year in January.
To console disappointed fans, Lia released her solo track "Blossom" along with its lyric video which ended up being a part of the soundtrack under ITZY's Born To Be - Untouchable album.
Considering that Lia has not only been on hiatus from the group for four months now, what does this mean for her future in ITZY? With her own solo release, is she planning on returning at all?
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Is Lia Back in ITZY? Is She Leaving the Group Permanently?
Lia has since then remained quiet as she supported her band members behind the scenes.
The same thing goes for ITZY, which they addressed back in January at a press conference at the Conrad Seoul Grand Ballroom in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
According to AllKpop, the leader of the group, Yeji kept her chin up to share that Lia had been cheering for them from the sidelines by watching their promotions.
During the event, Yejin gives fans even higher hopes of Lia's return once she adds that ITZY will be "an even better version of ourselves when Lia returns."
But what truly sent fans into a frenzy was when they noticed Lia attending to one of ITZY's ongoing world tour concerts!
Lia Makes a Surprise Appearance at ITZY's World Tour in Seoul
On February 25, while ITZY was performing their highly anticipated Born To Be world tour in Seoul, the band members saw their former member Lia making a surprise appearance in the crowd.
As reported by AllKpop, Lia, who had been on hiatus since September last year, was not only "warmly greeted" by fans but even by ITZY members as they took a photo together backstage.
While this does not confirm when exactly Lia will be returning to perform among the stars, these recent interactions have fans yearning that that day will come sooner than expected.
It is also worth mentioning that Lia did promise MIDZY and her fellow band members that she would "work to return in good health to repay how much MIDZY [will] wait and worry for me." Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
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