ILLIT’s encore concert in Incheon hit a painful snag just hours before showtime. On October 18, BELIFT LAB revealed that member Iroha had sprained her ankle during rehearsal earlier that day, putting her participation in Day 2 of “ILLIT LIVE ‘PRESS START♥’ ENCORE in KOREA” in question.
Iroha (Credits: BELIFT LAB)
According to the agency’s statement, the injury happened during the day’s concert rehearsal, after which Iroha was taken to a hospital for examination and treatment. While the young idol is said to be strongly determined to take part in the full show, BELIFT LAB stressed that protecting the artist comes first — and warned fans that her participation may be adjusted on the fly.
What BELIFT LAB Announced
In its full statement, the agency told fans: “During today’s concert rehearsal, Iroha sprained her ankle, and she has since undergone examination and treatment at a hospital.” The label went on to explain that although Iroha herself wants to perform all scheduled stages, her health takes priority.
The key line from the announcement: the company “plans to manage Iroha’s participation in the concert with fluidity,” and if she shows symptoms during the show, “we may partially limit her participation in performances in order to protect the artist.” Fans were asked for their generous understanding, with the agency promising to do its utmost to help Iroha recover.
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse — Or Fans Couldn’t Be More Worried
The injury landed with just one night left in ILLIT’s encore run, making this a bittersweet moment for GLIT, the group’s fandom. Encore concerts are a victory lap by design — a celebration of everything the tour accomplished — and the idea of watching Iroha perform hurt, or not at all, has fans flooding social media with get-well messages and encouragement.
Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries in K-pop, where relentless choreography, elevated stages, and tight rehearsal schedules push idols’ bodies to the limit. What makes this case sting is the setting: an ankle sprain doesn’t just hurt, it directly threatens the sharp, synchronized footwork that defines ILLIT’s stage presence. Performing through it risks turning a short-term sprain into a long-term problem, which is exactly why agencies are increasingly quick to pull back participation rather than let idols dance injured.
The good news is that BELIFT LAB’s tone suggests this is being managed carefully rather than brushed aside. The phrasing about “fluid” participation leaves the door open for Iroha to appear in seated or reduced-movement segments — a format fans have embraced in similar situations, where the priority is seeing their favorite healthy long-term rather than performing at full tilt for one night.
A Group Riding High Despite the Setback
ILLIT has had a whirlwind run, and the encore concert was meant to cap off a strong year for the fifth-generation girl group. The fact that the final night still went ahead with adjustments speaks to both the group’s professionalism and the loyalty of fans who showed up knowing the circumstances.
For now, the focus is squarely on Iroha’s recovery. Ankle sprains can sideline dancers for weeks depending on severity, and with ILLIT’s packed schedule, the agency will be weighing every performance decision carefully in the coming days. Fans will be watching BELIFT LAB’s next updates closely — and hoping the encore’s final night still delivered the celebration it was meant to be, with Iroha resting and healing up for everything still to come.
Also Read: ILLIT Accused of “Shameless” Plagiarism of KiiiKiii in New BREAK EVEN Concept Photos
Source: Soompi — read the full story there.
