YG Entertainment announced this week that WINNER member Nam Tae Hyun is taking a break from his activities to seek treatment for his mental health issue. The announcement sparked a debate among fans, with some claiming that there might be an underlying concern behind his hiatus.
Many fans noted that Nam Tae Hyun may not be getting along well with the other members of WINNER. Some suggested that he hasn't been staying at WINNER's dormitory long before his announced hiatus, during which it was also revealed that he is staying with his family as he goes to therapy. There are also photos on social media showing Nam Tae Hyun separating himself from his group mates at various events.
The most striking evidence was observed from Nam Tae Hyun's self-composed song titled "Who Cares," which he published on SoundCloud, allkpop reported. There are speculations that the song may speak about his possible exit from the group.
The lyrics goes, "Farewell. Don't act sad. There's no regret. You feel the same. I don't care. Nothing's forever. I'm alone anyway, so let's sing."
Nam Tae Hyun has been the subject of controversy several times ever since his debut. In 2014, rumors surfaced that he was forced to transfer schools because he was a bully. Also, he received criticism after he allegedly spoke informally to fans at an event.
Consequent to Nam Tae Hyun's hiatus, WINNER is also delaying the release of their comeback album. "We currently cannot predict WINNER's timeframe for their promotions, which is regrettable," YG Entertainment said, Soompi quoted. "However, the other WINNER members, along with YG, are putting in their best effort to overcome the first crisis that has hit the team."
The agency said that Nam Tae Hyun's health and recovery is their utmost priority as of this moment. As to the individual activities of the other members, no word was released by the agency.
