When you're in Katseye, duty always calls – even on a sick day.
The Grammy-nominated girl group, which currently consists of Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung, is making waves online after Avanzini and Skiendiel missed a VIP fan event due to illness.
The dance-pop outfit, currently a foursome amid the hiatus of members Sophia Laforteza and Manon Bannerman, performed a concert at Boston's TD Garden on Wednesday, Oct. 28, as part of their ongoing Wildworld Tour.
While Avanzini and Skiendiel both played the show, Katseye's record label, Hybe, released a statement hours before the performance informing fans that the singers would be absent from the concert's VIP meet-and-greet.
"We are very sorry to inform you that due to illness,
Daniela and Megan were unable to attend today's group VIP photo and will not be participating in the scheduled soundcheck and Q&A session for the Boston show," the statement, which was also shared on Katseye's Instagram stories, read. "Both members are currently resting and receiving necessary care."
The announcement quickly generated controversy among fans, with some blasting the financial burden of attending the event with an incomplete lineup.
USA TODAY has reached out to Katseye's representatives for additional comment.
The Wildworld Tour, launched in support of Katseye's latest EP "Wild," kicked off on Sept. 1. The global trek has taken the girl group to several major cities across Europe and the United States.
Following their Boston concert, Katseye is slated to perform at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, Oct. 30.
How many members are in Katseye?
Katseye, which was formed in 2023 on the reality competition series "Dream Academy," consists of six members: Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel, Yoonchae Jeung and Manon Bannerman.
In February, the group announced that Bannerman would be stepping back from the group to "focus on her health and well-being."
Laforteza, the group's leader, announced in August that she was also going on a temporary hiatus to attend to her "personal health and wellness." She is scheduled to return to the group in January.
Katseye members' concert absence sparks fan debate
Avanzini and Skiendiel's absences ignited a fierce debate on social media, as several of their fans, known as Eyekons, criticized the last-minute cancellation.
"The concept of paying for a VIP ticket for a six-member group only to see four of them and then having your VIP photo with only two of them… A MESS," X user @Callmee___ wrote.
"This group is a social experiment from Harvard," @bbyjimjams commented, while @pinksbabymon quipped, "Even most K-pop boy groups during military service don't have this many members absent."
"[At this point], refund everyone's VIP [because] charging those prices for two [out of] six members is diabolical," @danis_showgirl wrote.
Some users also poked fun at member Yoonchae Jeung's longevity in the group amid her bandmates' various absences.
"Somebody needs to investigate Yoonchae's diet, water intake, vitamins, sleep schedule, family genes and whatever else is going on [because] how is she the ONLY Katseye member who hasn't gone on any sort of break?" @zowvx wrote.
But other fans defended the girl group, with some citing the band's intense work schedule on tour.
"THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!!!" @eusexualiti wrote. "Katseye is bigger than 4 girls!!!"
"Let these women REST," @mattxiv wrote, while @whyyyzed commented, "bro, at this point just put the whole group on hiatus. someone is gonna come out of this tour with a permanent medical condition."
"Sending love to Megan and Dani, we hope they're able to put on the show they've been longing to deliver," @dailymeiyok wrote. "We'll be cheering them on, and whatever they are able to give on stage will be more than perfect because we truly appreciate the effort and love they're putting in."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Katseye concert ends in controversy after 2 members pull out of fan event
