It’s been over a month since KATSEYE announced Manon Bannerman’s “temporary hiatus,” and the picture is only getting murkier.
The HYBE x Geffen girl group is rolling out promotions for their upcoming single “Pinky Up,” due April 9. But eagle-eyed fans noticed something off immediately: none of the teasers feature Manon. Not the Mona Lisa video. Not the arcade claw clip. Not the 15-second teaser that dropped last week. And certainly not the “first look” posters released April 3, which show only Yoonchae, Lara, Megan, Daniela, and Sophia in costume.
The caption teased “a look at PINKY UP part 1,” leaving a sliver of hope that a “part 2” could include Manon’s images. But fans were left disappointed after part 2 dropped.
Things got messier when The Korea Herald briefly confirmed that Manon would perform with KATSEYE at Coachella on April 10—exactly one day after “Pinky Up” drops. Then, without explanation or correction, the outlet deleted the confirmation. HYBE x Geffen has not commented on Manon’s status in the group, and the parent company remains silent.
Recently, Manon took to Weverse DMs to share: “HxG and I are having positive conversations and I feel supported. I’m happy and I’m healthy. I’ll share more soon.”
She also quietly edited her Instagram bio to remove “katseye.” It now reads simply “mademoiselle manzanita.”
“Pinky Up” drops April 9. KATSEYE performs at Coachella on April 10 and April 17. The group has also been announced as headliners for the Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival on August 8.
Whether Manon joins them for any of it remains an open question. For now, fans are left reading between the lines of deleted confirmations, absent teasers, and a member whose future with the group seems less certain by the day.
Source: Forbes
