Concerns about the health of the K-pop group TWICE are escalating.
TWICE is currently in the midst of their extensive ‘THIS IS FOR’ world tour. The tour commenced in July of last year at the Incheon Inspire Arena and spans 43 locations globally, with the group presently undertaking the North American leg, which kicked off in Vancouver this January.
However, a series of reports detailing health issues among the members, exacerbated by their rigorous schedule, has intensified worries among fans and the public.
Member Dahyun was the first to experience health setbacks, sustaining an ankle injury in February, which led to her absence from the North American leg of the tour. Subsequently, it was further communicated that she would temporarily step back from group activities due to ongoing health concerns. On March 25, JYP Entertainment (referred to as JYP) announced, “Dahyun will dedicate her time to recovery for the foreseeable future and plans to rejoin group activities once her condition allows for dance performances.”
Merely a day after Dahyun’s announcement, on March 26, fellow member Chaeyoung also had to postpone her travel plans to seek urgent treatment for severe back pain.
JYP confirmed, “She experienced discomfort in her back, and it was deemed crucial for her to receive urgent medical attention, leading to an unavoidable delay in her departure schedule. She is currently undergoing medical examination and treatment.” The agency further added, “Following a thorough review of her diagnostic results and recovery progress, she intends to resume her travel plans as soon as medically advised.”
Adding to the mounting concerns, Momo disclosed that she underwent a tooth extraction during the world tour, sparking accusations from some quarters that TWICE is being overworked. On March 11, Momo shared on the fan communication platform Bubble, “I had a tooth suddenly extracted in Chicago, and because it was so recent, the left side of my face is still swollen today.” She candidly asked for understanding, stating, “So please understand if I appear very swollen.”
She elaborated, “During the Chicago concert, my tooth was incredibly painful. It was so severe that I couldn’t sleep, so I visited a Chicago dentist the next morning. It turned out that the area where I previously had a root canal had deteriorated further.” She continued, “To receive proper treatment, I would need to return to Korea, but that’s over a week away, and even then, my schedule in Korea wouldn’t permit the necessary treatment time.”
Momo further explained, “The pain was so intense that even with painkillers, I doubted I could continue performing until I could return to Korea. Consequently, extraction became my only option.”
She clarified, “Initially, it wasn’t a tooth that typically required extraction. However, with no immediate possibility of returning to Korea and root canal therapy not being a single-day procedure, time was against me. Since performing was essential, I made the difficult decision to have it pulled. I anticipate being able to get an implant after the European leg of the tour concludes.”
Established in 2015, TWICE has garnered immense popularity and affection through a string of hit songs, including ‘Cheer Up,’ ‘TT,’ ‘Heart Shaker,’ and ‘What is Love.’
