#GetWellSoonMina: The K-Pop Industry Is Finally Opening Up to Mental Health Issues

We stan this new attitude and wish Mina a speedy recovery.

It was announced that TWICE’s own Mina Myoui, aka Mina, has pulled out of the K-pop group’s international and U.S. TWICELIGHTS tour, scheduled to start in Singapore this Saturday, due to extreme anxiety. An official statement posted on TWICE’s fanpage on July 11 by JYP, the group’s management, stated:

“We should like to announce in regards to Mina’s health and condition status. Mina is currently struggling with sudden extreme anxiety and insecurity towards performing on stage […] Health of our artist is our top priority and most important thing, thus, we will do everything to provide proper medical treatment and sufficient resting for Mina’s recovery.”

JYP also stated, “After extensive discussion with Mina and the members of TWICE, Mina’s current condition would be requiring further treatment, testing, and a pullout from the TWICE WORLD TOUR 2019.”

JYP then asked for the fans’ support and encouragement to help Mina get better soon.

Since the announcement, the group’s fandom, affectionately known as ONCE, created the hashtag #GetWellSoonMina, writing beautiful, encouraging posts to the K-pop star, making it a number one trending topic.

all together ♡#GetWellSoonMina pic.twitter.com/cLsTr6lngY

— l 🌷 (@wisteriamemory_) July 12, 2019

I miss this Mina. Please get well, we miss you so much! 😢💕💕#GetWellSoonMina pic.twitter.com/6xKGFFhl9q

— l ค เ г є 🍭 #GetWellSoonMina ✨ (@steppppphtiu) July 12, 2019

ONCES! When #TWICE performs “Cheer Up” at #TWICELIGHTSinLA instead of shouting “Cheer Up! Baby” shout “Cheer Up! Mina”!! Let’s show our support for her and her recovery as much as we possibly can! #GetWellSoonMina

— david 🇨🇴 @TWICELIGHTSinLA #GetWellSoonMina (@nemurenatta) July 12, 2019

i love u mina , we’ll always be here for u! i only wish for you to be happy and healthy 💗 and for the whole of twice to be strong and healthy too sending u lots of love and care 💫❤️#GetWellSoonMina #MINA #TWICE #미나 #트와이스 pic.twitter.com/PsgPePD2gt

— 🍓 strawberry kid 🍓 (@weepbleep) July 11, 2019

Opening up about mental health struggles is no small feat for an internationally known K-pop star, as stigmas about mental health still run deep in South Korea. We applaud Mina and her management at JYP for being open, honest, and intentionally direct about Mina’s departure from the tour, normalizing the idea that everyone should be able to get the mental health care that they need to thrive.

What do you think about the K-pop industry’s opening up about their mental health issues?