After contracting Covid-19 last year, K-pop group NCT’s Haechan, 22, faces another health concern.
On 6 January, SM Entertainment, NCT’s agency, disclosed that Haechan had suffered “abnormal conditions such as heart palpitations, chest tightness” that prompted his temporary exit from promotional runs and the much-anticipated American tour.
“Recently, Haechan had experienced abnormal conditions such as heart palpitations, chest tightness… he went to the hospital with his manager and got a consultation and examination where he received the medical advice that treatment and rest are required,” the agency said in a statement.
Haechan will skip scheduled activities starting next week and will remain on break until further notice.
“We will let you know later when it is confirmed for him to resume his schedules,” SM Entertainment added.
The company also apologized for causing worry among Haechan fans and asked for their understanding.
However, some are blaming the company for allegedly overworking their idol.
“SM Entertainment is such a nasty company and should be held accountable for the fact that Haechan had to go through this,” read one tweet.
Dream Maker Entertainment also announced the changes in the tour. “Please be informed that Haechan will not be able to participate in the NCT 127 2nd tour NEO CITY: USA & LATIN AMERICA — THE LINK due to health issues,” it said on Twitter.
Despite Haechan’s exclusion, the remaining eight members of NCT 127 will perform.
For 2023, NCT 127 is set to embark on three additional concert dates in the United States — Chicago on 9 January, Houston on 11 January, and Atlanta on 13 January.
In South America, they will hold three shows in São Paulo, Brazil, from 18 to 20 January; followed by shows in Santiago, Chile, on 22 January; Bogotá, Colombia, on 25 January; and Mexico City, Mexico, on 28 January.
Besides the world tour, NCT 127 will be releasing Ay-Yo, the repackaged version of their fourth studio album 2 Baddies, on 30 January.
The group’s sub-unit NCT Dream also dropped the winter album Candy and a music video last month. The album includes the group’s spin on H.O.T.’s 1996 hit song.
For the promotional run of Candy, the group not only performed but won that week in Music Bank, a South Korean music program.
NCT, which stands for “Neo Culture Technology,” consists of 23 members and is divided into four sub-units — NCT U, NCT 127, NCT Dream, and WayV.
Haechan is the main vocalist for three sub-units, except WayV.