ILLIT's Moka Returns to Stage Amid Health Concern

K-POP girl group ILLIT closed out promotions for its latest single "It's Me" with all five members on stage, after Moka returned from a health-related break. Her comeback drew both relief and worry from fans, as cameras caught her tearing up mid-performance.

The group wrapped its five-week promotional run on May 31 with an appearance on SBS's "Inkigayo," one of South Korea's main weekly music shows. It was the final stage for "It's Me," and the first time in weeks that ILLIT performed as a complete lineup.

Moka had stepped back from activities on April 20, after her medical team advised treatment and rest for an undisclosed health issue. ILLIT carried out the early part of its comeback promotions as a four-member group during her absence.

On May 29, the group's agency Belift Lab said in a statement that Moka "has been focused on recovery while balancing treatment and rest, and has received medical clearance to resume activities within a manageable scope." The label added that Moka herself had a strong wish to meet fans on stage before promotions ended, and that her return would begin with a performance on KBS's "Music Bank."

Her comeback, however, raised concerns at the broadcast venue. Fans reported seeing Moka tear up during the performance, and witnesses said she was helped offstage by a security staff member after the show. Adding to the worry, SBS "Inkigayo" uploaded stage clips of other acts to its official YouTube channel but left out ILLIT's performance, prompting some fans to question whether her return came too soon.

Member Yunah addressed the close of promotions through the fan platform Weverse, a service many K-POP artists use to talk directly with fans. "Over these five weeks, we got to meet so many GLLITs(Fandom name) and feel a lot of love from the public," she wrote, using the group's official fandom name. "I'm truly grateful from the bottom of my heart."

She continued, "It was hard coming back as four, but I'm so glad we could end the promotions on stage as a full five. I want to thank our GLLITs so much for waiting until the five-member stage, and I want to tell Moka she worked so hard."

Yunah did not directly mention Moka's condition, but her focus on the group finishing together as five appeared aimed at reassuring fans.

Belift Lab said it will adjust parts of Moka's schedule based on her condition and preparation. Because she was unable to take part in rehearsals, Moka will sit out the "2026 Weverse Con Festival" on June 6.

The end of "It's Me" promotions closes one of ILLIT's most closely watched runs to date, with the group's next steps now shaped as much by Moka's recovery as by the music itself.