SHINee's Onew to take break due to 'health issues'

Onew of boy band SHINee will be taking time off due to health issues, his agency SM Entertainment said Friday. "SHINee had just finished preparing its eighth full-length album and fan meet-and-greet in May to celebrate the band's 15th ...

Singer Onew of boy band SHINee [SM ENTERTAINMENT]

Onew of boy band SHINee will be taking time off due to health issues, his agency SM Entertainment said Friday.

"SHINee had just finished preparing its eighth full-length album and fan meet-and-greet in May to celebrate the band's 15th anniversary of debut this year," the agency said.

"But Onew had been suffering from worsening health conditions, and he recently went through a check-up, where the doctor recommended that he needs rest and care."

The agency did not elaborate further on the singer's conditions but said that he will not be participating in the band's concerts scheduled from June 23 to 25.

"We realize that this comeback has been longed for by everyone — the fans, members and the company also — but we came to this decision with the singer's best interest at heart to stay as SHINee for as long as possible and ask for your understanding," the agency said.

SHINee will hold its sixth standalone concert "SHINee World VI [Perfect Illumination]" from June 23 to 25, the band's first in-person concert in six years and nine months since "SHINee Concert' SHINee World V'" in 2016. It is also the band's first concert in general since "Beyond LIVE - SHINee: SHINee World" streamed online in 2021.

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]