The situation couldn’t be more confusing.
2 minutes ago
KATSEYE’s next release is confirmed to be a five-member project, continuing the absence of Manon while she remains on hiatus.
KATSEYE | @katseyeworld/Instagram
On April 15, KST, the group announced their new EP, WILD, set for release in August. The official website listed only five members’ names under the “Member Version” of the record, excluding Manon. Some fans also discovered that Manon wasn’t included in the photocards, further raising suspicion that she wasn’t part of this upcoming release.
katseye announcing “wild” and there’s only 5 member versions… #HELLNAH pic.twitter.com/vxvd9NpqZE
— cate ☆ loves SOPHIA (@sophialuvrz) April 15, 2026
im disgusted pic.twitter.com/kwxIpyH10I
— sop (ot6) is grieving (@sopseye) April 15, 2026
This exclusion yet again left fans in confusion, as they estimated that Manon had already recorded her part for the project and was being deliberately left out just like in “Pinky Up.” Many theorized that Manon’s departure announcement was only a matter of time.
mind u she was recording for songs late January… now she’s not even on the EP or comeback single then removed katseye from her bio??? it’s getting a weird pic.twitter.com/u1kjvIz9ON
— ᵈᵉˢᵗⁱⁿʸ ❧꡴ (@bilsiriss) April 15, 2026
announcing the ep FOUR MONTHS before it drops is a clear indication that manon was supposed to be in the comeback, they were always going to announce it around coachella, and now they need to re-record and readjust now that they’ve forced manon out. i’m so sick of that company
— cate ☆ loves SOPHIA (@sophialuvrz) April 15, 2026
Bro just drop the statement so we can move on
— Savi ⁷ 🐈 chi day (@yoonzaner) April 15, 2026
Soft launching her departure by announcing a comeback that completely excludes her, set for three months from now, basically confirming she won’t be back from this so called “hiatus” by then. I’m honestly so sick and sad.
— kei ✩⁶ (@manonstiara) April 15, 2026
they are only not announcing manon’s departure because the speculation is the only thing keeping people invested in this era. even their coachella performance didn’t get much attention if not for comments on her. they know they need to milk her exit as much as possible. losers https://t.co/WPzLdJxlau
— ericeffiorg (@ericeffiorg) April 15, 2026
However, just as fans were convinced that she is not a part of KATSEYE anymore, Manon reached out via Weverse. On April 16, the singer suddenly messaged fans on Weverse, telling them that she missed them.
q&a being tomorrow 👀 she said ill share more soon 👀 the girls were kinda happy today on weverse 👀 pic.twitter.com/XUzZ22i91X
— ani ⋆˚꩜｡ VIO A KATSEYE (@manonnkhyq) April 16, 2026
This unexpected communication from Manon’s side, that too through Weverse, has reignited hopes that Manon might return to the group after all.
WHY WOULD SHE SEND DMS THE MINUTE I MADE PEACE WITH HER LEAVING LIKE , WHAT DOES IS IT MEAN WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY I MISS YOU LIKE I AM GONNA KMS pic.twitter.com/6aMBGE28dI
— Mar✨️ (@marmarzini) April 16, 2026
MAYBE NOT EVERYTHING IS OVER pic.twitter.com/jQWawp3xoo
— lara’s attorney (@addictedlara) April 16, 2026
Is it parasocial that I felt a sharp pain in my chest when I got the notification pic.twitter.com/SkpiBdr3Hj
— Uzezi (@shekuaep) April 16, 2026
the timing of these weverse message being the same day the EP she’s not apart of is announced….
— key (@manoniverse) April 16, 2026
okay let’s put the cards on the table
– lara posts a voice note with all of them excitedly mashing up their songs in the back
– manon posts she loves and misses us 5 minutes later
– there’s a livestream today#confused
— lara’s attorney (@addictedlara) April 16, 2026
Do you think Manon might come back?