ATEEZ’s Hongjoong Diagnosed With Rib Fracture as Performances May Be Adjusted

ATEEZ member Hongjoong has been diagnosed with a rib fracture, prompting plans for flexible adjustments to his upcoming schedule. KQ Entertainment announced the diagnosis on August 13 after the artist visited a hospital because of a cough and underwent a medical examination.

Medical professionals advised Hongjoong to get sufficient rest. The company recommended that he pause to recover, but it also said it would respect his wish to participate in engagements that had already been scheduled. His activities will therefore continue only to the extent that his physical condition permits.

The immediate focus is ATEEZ’s appearance at Istanbul Festivali on August 14. Hongjoong’s level of participation on stage may be reduced or changed depending on how he is feeling, and the same flexible approach will apply to later performances.

Schedule to be managed around his condition

KQ Entertainment said it will closely monitor Hongjoong and make further schedule adjustments when needed. The company emphasized that rest and recovery remain priorities even though he has expressed a desire to join the group’s activities.

The notice does not state that Hongjoong will be absent from every event, nor does it guarantee full participation. Instead, it establishes a case-by-case plan in which staff will assess what he can safely do at each engagement. That leaves room for changes in stage time, choreography or other performance elements without committing to one fixed arrangement.

No recovery timetable was announced. Rib injuries can differ in severity and impact, and the statement did not provide additional clinical detail beyond the confirmed fracture and the recommendation for rest. It would therefore be premature to estimate when Hongjoong will return to unrestricted performance.

Istanbul performance remains on the calendar

The August 14 Istanbul Festivali appearance was specifically named because of its proximity to the announcement. Fans attending the event have been asked to understand that Hongjoong’s stage role may look different from the original plan. ATEEZ’s broader participation in the festival was not canceled in the health update.

Large-scale K-pop performances typically involve sustained singing, movement and rehearsal, so even an appearance that goes forward can be modified in several ways. The agency did not identify which adjustments are under consideration. Any final decision will depend on Hongjoong’s condition closer to the performance.

The same uncertainty applies to the group’s later commitments. KQ Entertainment said it will keep monitoring his health and adjust upcoming schedules flexibly, indicating that plans may change as recovery progresses. The notice did not list any other event as canceled or postponed.

Health prioritized despite wish to participate

Hongjoong’s desire to remain involved was a central part of the announcement. The company acknowledged that preference while also stating that his health and well-being would take priority. The resulting plan is participation within limits, not an expectation that he perform at full capacity.

That distinction matters because artists can feel pressure to avoid disappointing audiences, especially when international travel and festival appearances have been arranged in advance. The official update gives organizers and fans notice that changes may occur without treating those changes as a lack of commitment.

KQ Entertainment apologized for the concern caused by the sudden news and asked for understanding. It also said Hongjoong would receive enough time to rest and focus on recovery as schedules are reviewed. No further medical diagnosis or treatment information was disclosed.

For now, the confirmed position is that Hongjoong remains scheduled for activities when his condition allows, while his stage participation may be adjusted. The Istanbul festival will be the first immediate test of that flexible plan. Any later appearances will be handled with the same monitoring process, with recovery rather than a fixed performance target guiding the final decisions.