In November 2023, JYP Entertainment announced that ITZY‘s Lia would be absent from the group’s comeback preparations and world tour due to health concerns. She had begun her hiatus in September.
Hello, this is JYP Entertainment.
We would like to inform you about Lia’s health status and future activities.
Currently, Lia is experiencing symptoms of tension and anxiety while undergoing her schedules.
As a result of the diagnosis made by a specialized doctor, she was diagnosed with anxiety disorder and will focus on treatment.
After sufficient discussion with Lia herself and the ITZY members, Lia will be absent from the production of ITZY’s new album and the group’s world tour schedules in January.
For the fans who are sad about this news, we will release the lyric video for Lia’s solo track “Blossom” today.
We ask for your warm support and love. We will continue to do our best for Lia’s recovery.
Thank you once again to the fans who always care about ITZY.
— JYP Entertainment
In February 2024, Lia made her first public appearance since hiatus during ITZY’s Born to Be tour concert in Seoul, only to support her members from the audience. Fans were in tears when they finally saw Lia after so long, as she appeared with a smile on her face.
so you’re telling me lia went to the itzy concert for day 2 .. our precious lia 🥹 pic.twitter.com/Kf1nfqwGr0
— ًea 🖤 (@thclwa) February 25, 2024
nobody loves itzy like how lia loves itzy .. her smiling while the girls are performing im crying. i cant wait to see lia back in stage please 😭🩵 pic.twitter.com/3cbfsTkInj
— ًea 🖤 (@thclwa) February 25, 2024
Yet, throughout Lia’s hiatus, MIDZY (ITZY fans) have been concerned about the idol’s erasure from the group. As ITZY has remained active, she hasn’t been included in promotions and has also been omitted from merchandise designs.
We understand and respect LIA’s decision of not participating in tour, but she is still a member of ITZY. There will be LIA fans attending BORN TO BE World Tour and wanting to buy official merch. Stop excluding LIA and her fans. ITZY is 5. @theJYPshop @jypnation pic.twitter.com/hLwBAwu7uD
— LIA FRANCE | #GetWellSoonLia (@LiaITZYFrance) February 20, 2024
Why is BORN TO BE track ‘Blossom’ is not included in T-shirt? Why is LIA’s TWINZY character Li-Li is not included in official merch? LIA is still a member of ITZY and deserves to be included in ITZY merch.
ITZY is 5. @theJYPshop @jypnation pic.twitter.com/eGku08eRe0
— LIA GLOBAL (SLOW) (@CJSGLOBAL) February 20, 2024
Despite these concerns, we can be rest assured Lia is still very much part of ITZY.
Throughout ITZY’s world tour, MIDZY noticed that the members never let it go unnoticed that ITZY is five. They would often mention Lia.
Who else is in insufferable pain. BRING MY FAMILY OF FIVE BACK#ITZY_in_LOSANGELES #ITZY_BORNTOBE #ITZY_WORLD_TOUR #ITZY pic.twitter.com/ZkTbnVbwdO
— jas misses itzy ≷ (@shin1ster) June 12, 2024
i can’t imagine the pain and how much they miss lia 🙁 oh itzy u will always be five pic.twitter.com/6ez0Vjdlt1
— min⁷ ★ BORN TO BE (@ryusland) March 16, 2024
ITZY WLL ALWAYS BE FIVE❤️ no matter what, forever.pic.twitter.com/ENrDJYQKQc
— ♛Mia≷ ALGORHYTHM OUT NOW (@itziconicvibez) June 21, 2024
At their recent concert in Chicago, ITZY’s Yeji confirmed that the group will make a comeback as five members, including Lia! MIDZY couldn’t be happier to hear this.
YOU HEARD IT RIGHT ITZY WILL COME BACK AS FIVE 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Hal76szDME
— lia_loves (@MIDCYS) June 27, 2024
ITZY are truly in their element during concerts, they’re sooo good man. Always and forever putting on an amazing show. Shoutout to the backup dancers and their band especially. It was so nice seeing the girls again 🫶 can’t for them to be back as five ❤️ #ITZY_in_CHICAGO pic.twitter.com/C5J9tiRiN0
— 🎈 (@heechuusdubu) June 27, 2024
“We will come back as 5” please 🥹@ITZYofficial #ITZY_in_CHICAGO pic.twitter.com/zFg19uKA1f
— em loves lia (@jisusjisoo) June 27, 2024
We look forward to seeing the group’s upcoming comeback, whenever it may be!