Following the recent hiatus of IVE member Rei due to health concerns, Red Velvet's Joy is also taking a break from her activities, raising concerns about the well-being of K-pop idols.

On April 1, Rei announced that he would be taking a break from his activities. Fans were concerned about the news, which came only a day after the release of IVE's first full-length album, "I Have IVE." Starship Entertainment, IVE's agency, stated, "Rei experienced symptoms such as chest palpitations and shortness of breath and sought consultation and examination at a hospital." The agency added that Rei received a diagnosis that he needed treatment and rest and would temporarily halt his activities for health recovery.

Rei had completed all recordings and music video shoots, including "Kitchi" and "I Am," for "I Have IVE" promotions. However, on the 10th, the day before announcing his hiatus, Rei attended only the photo session of a press conference due to health issues, sparking fans' concerns. Since then, IVE has continued promotions as a five-member group, with Rei's position left vacant in the choreography during music broadcasts. Rei later reassured fans in a message, saying, "I will take good care of myself and pause for a while."

On April 26, Joy's hiatus announcement followed. Red Velvet's agency, SM Entertainment, stated, "Joy recently visited a hospital due to poor health conditions. She received a specialist's opinion that she needed treatment and rest." The company revealed that Joy would not participate in schedules for the time being, focusing on rest and health recovery. Consequently, Joy did not attend the recording of the SBS program "TV Animal Farm" on the same day, leading to rumors of her leaving the show. SBS denied the rumors, saying, "There have been no discussions about leaving the show." The network plans to fill Joy's spot with special MCs for the time being.

Joy's hiatus is expected to cause disruptions in Red Velvet's tour schedule. The group held solo concerts in Seoul on the 1st and 2nd. Although they plan to embark on a world tour in ten cities, including Singapore, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, France, and Germany, Joy's participation remains uncertain.

Public concern is growing over the recent news of health issues affecting various idols. The emphasis is on not only physical injuries but also maintaining mental health. In the past, taking breaks or hiatuses was taboo, but now, the consensus is that "health comes first." As a result, both Rei and Joy receive support and encouragement from their fans during their time off.

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