HYBE announced on Friday, August 7, that KATSEYE leader Sophia Laforteza will be temporarily stepping back from all upcoming promotional activities of the group. Sophia addressed the hiatus directly in a statement posted to her Instagram Story. She wrote, "If I don't take care of my mind and body now, I won't be able to keep doing what I love the most for so long." She also said that making this decision was not easy, however, she is “learning that health has to come first.” Sophia further added that she plans to return to group activities when she is fully healed and has followed through with her recovery process.