Source Music announced on Tuesday that Le Sserafim member Chaewon is taking a temporary break from her professional schedule due to health concerns. The agency confirmed she has been receiving treatment for neck pain and will strictly focus on her recovery.
Consequently, she will be absent from a string of promotional activities for the group’s highly anticipated second studio album, Pureflow pt. 1. Her missed appearances will include television music chart shows and a live showcase. The five-piece act will temporarily continue their promotional duties as a quartet until she is fully cleared to return.
Fan concerns and demanding choreography
Worries regarding the singer’s wellbeing had already been brewing amongst fans. Many noticed that the idol appeared to be in physical discomfort while performing the demanding headbanging choreography for the album’s prerelease track, «Celebration».
Despite the setback, preparations for the upcoming comeback are still in full swing. On Wednesday, the group dropped a teaser video for «Boompala», the lead single from the LP that is scheduled for a global release on May 22.
Resurfaced footage sparks backlash
The official medical announcement has reignited intense online discussions around a resurfaced clip from a live broadcast in early May. During the stream, Chaewon can be heard mentioning that her neck was hurting. Fellow member Sakura quickly responded with a shushing gesture. Immediately afterwards, Chaewon backtracked and claimed her neck was fine, prompting surprised reactions from the rest of the group.
While viewers initially dismissed the awkward interaction as a playful spoiler for their upcoming release, the recent news has cast the moment in a completely different light. Fans now heavily suspect that the artists were under strict instructions to conceal any physical ailments.
Although a small minority directed their frustration at Sakura, the overwhelming majority of supporters have heavily criticised the management company for seemingly silencing Chaewon and attempting to hide her pain from the public.
