Health concerns grow for (G)I-dle with members falling ill back to back

Shuhua of (G)I-dle (Cube Entertainment)

A string of health issues plaguing (G)I-dle members is impeding the group’s promotion of the new album, “2.”

(G)I-dle’s Shuhua is taking a break from group activities due to health concerns, according to Cube Entertainment.

“Shuhua has not been feeling well since Friday, and plans to suspend all of the schedule planned,” announced Cube Entertainment via fan community platform Weverse on Saturday. The group had been scheduled to hold a fan signing event that day.

“Shuhua will not be able to participate in the Soundwave pre-order fan signing and video call event scheduled for Saturday," the company continued.

Shuhua also sat out performing on MBC’s music show “Music Core” on Saturday.

This comes less than a week after the agency canceled the press conference for (G)I-dle’s comeback due to members Minnie and Yuqi falling ill.

“Shuhua looks really uncomfortable performing,” “(G)I-dle has been working so hard. Hope they recover their health conditions soon,” fans commented on Weverse.

(G)I-dle worked on "2" while on the group's "I Am Free-ty" world tour and brought up the new album both during the tour and during iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Tour in the US last year.

Minnie exited mid-performance during the final show of the Jingle Ball Tour in Philadelphia on Dec. 12, owing to health difficulties.

On Dec. 15, Shuhua took time off after testing positive for influenza A.

“We appreciate your understanding and we will make every effort toward the artists' recovery,” said Cube Entertainment.

Despite these impediments in promoting the group’s second studio album, the new release is doing well, taking the No.1 spot on the iTunes top albums chart in 24 regions and Apple’ Music’s top albums chart in eight regions.

The album saw more than 1.8 million pre-orders, becoming the group’s second million-selling album after its sixth EP “I Feel” released last year.

By Hong Yoo(yoohong@heraldcorp.com)