IVE’s Gaeul to Miss TIMA 2026 Appearance in Hong Kong

IVE will appear at the 2026 TMElive International Music Awards without Gaeul, after STARSHIP Entertainment confirmed that the singer is unable to join the group for the Hong Kong event because of a prior personal schedule.

The agency announced on July 10 that IVE’s scheduled appearance at the awards show will go ahead, but with a temporary five-member lineup. The 2026 TMElive International Music Awards, commonly referred to as TIMA, is set for August 23 at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.

According to STARSHIP Entertainment, the company tried to adjust the conflicting schedule so Gaeul could participate, but the issue could not be resolved. The agency asked fans for understanding and said IVE would attend with An Yu Jin, Rei, Jang Won Young, Liz, and Leeseo.

What STARSHIP Confirmed

The statement was brief and focused on logistics rather than further explanation. STARSHIP described Gaeul’s absence as the result of a prior personal schedule and did not indicate any health issue, group change, or longer pause from activities.

That distinction matters for fans because K-pop schedule announcements can quickly lead to speculation. In this case, the agency framed the situation as a one-event absence from a specific overseas commitment. There was no suggestion that Gaeul’s broader role in IVE has changed.

For TIMA, the update means IVE’s production team will likely need to adapt stage blocking, line distribution, camera marks, and promotional appearances around a five-member setup. Even when the public announcement is simple, large award-show performances often involve weeks of coordination among agencies, event organizers, broadcast crews, stylists, and local staff.

IVE’s Five-Member TIMA Lineup

IVE remains one of the most closely watched girl groups in K-pop, so any change to a major international schedule attracts attention. The group has built its reputation on polished performances, precise visual presentation, and a catalog that travels well across regional stages, making an awards appearance in Hong Kong a meaningful overseas stop.

The listed lineup for the event is An Yu Jin, Rei, Jang Won Young, Liz, and Leeseo. For audiences attending TIMA, that means the performance will still feature the majority of IVE’s current stage identity, while Gaeul’s absence will be felt most clearly in formations and fan expectations.

Member absences are not unusual in K-pop’s global schedule cycle, especially as groups balance concerts, festivals, brand commitments, recording work, media shoots, and personal obligations. What matters most is whether an agency communicates clearly before the event so fans, ticket holders, and organizers know what to expect.

Why The Timing Matters

The timing gives organizers and fans more than a month of notice before the August 23 ceremony. That window is important because it reduces the chance of last-minute confusion and gives IVE’s team time to prepare a performance that feels intentional rather than improvised.

Kai Tak Stadium is also a high-profile venue for a K-pop awards appearance. Hong Kong remains a major stop for Korean entertainment events, and large international stages often carry extra weight because they are watched by traveling fans, regional media, and online audiences who follow clips in real time.

For Gaeul’s fans, the announcement is still disappointing. She has long been valued for the balance she brings to IVE’s performance style, especially in dance-heavy moments and group formations. A temporary absence can change the texture of a stage even when the remaining members are fully capable of carrying the performance.

At the same time, STARSHIP’s early clarification leaves the situation relatively contained. The key facts are clear: Gaeul will not attend TIMA 2026, IVE will perform as five, and the stated reason is an unavoidable scheduling conflict.

What Fans Can Expect Next

Unless STARSHIP issues a follow-up, the next public updates are likely to come through TIMA promotions, event-day press materials, or IVE’s own official channels. Fans should also expect any broadcast or performance footage to reflect the adjusted lineup rather than the full six-member version.

The announcement does not diminish IVE’s presence at the awards show, but it does reshape the conversation around the appearance. For many fans, the focus will be split between supporting the five members on stage and waiting for Gaeul’s return to group schedules after the conflict passes.

For now, the practical takeaway is straightforward: IVE is still scheduled for TIMA 2026 in Hong Kong, but Gaeul will sit out that appearance. STARSHIP has asked for understanding, and the group is expected to continue the event with the remaining five members.