IU has announced a major change to her plans for the second half of 2026 after revealing that her long-term health condition has significantly worsened. The singer and actress shared an emotional message with fans on July 20 through the fan platform Berryz, explaining that she has been forced to cancel her scheduled September concert in Goyang and postpone the release of her highly anticipated sixth full-length album following medical advice.
The announcement immediately sparked concern among fans worldwide, many of whom had been eagerly awaiting both the concert and her long-awaited comeback. Rather than revealing new music, IU instead delivered a heartfelt update about the health struggles she has quietly endured for years.
According to IU, she has lived with Patulous Eustachian Tube Syndrome, a chronic disorder affecting the ear, for a long time. The condition can cause patients to hear their own breathing and voice unusually loudly, making singing and performing extremely challenging. While she has managed the illness throughout her career, she admitted that the symptoms have recently become much more severe.
“I’ve lived with this condition for many years,” IU explained. “But recently, the symptoms have become much worse. Looking back, I wonder if I pushed myself too hard over the past several years because I focused so much on work without paying enough attention to my health.”
She revealed that the symptoms have persisted day and night for several consecutive days, leaving her unable to return to a normal condition for singing.
“Recently, the symptoms have continued throughout both the day and the night for days at a time, and I constantly find it difficult to get back to a normal state where I can sing,” she wrote.
After undergoing medical evaluations, specialists advised IU that continuing preparations for concerts would not be safe at this time. Because live performances require intense physical activity, constant movement, and heavy sweating, doctors warned that proceeding with the scheduled concert could further aggravate her condition.
As a result, IU made the difficult decision to cancel her September concert in Goyang. She admitted the choice was heartbreaking, especially because she had hoped to spend the second half of the year together with fans through live performances.
“I feel incredibly heavy-hearted and sorry that I may not be able to keep my promise about the concert,” IU shared. “I’m sorry because it feels like I’ve ruined the second half of the year for all of us.”
The health setback has also affected her music plans. IU confirmed that her sixth studio album, one of the most anticipated Korean releases of the year, will also be postponed indefinitely. She explained that the album rollout had been designed around concert performances and a tour, making it impossible to continue with the original release schedule after the cancellation.
“Since the promotional plans for my sixth full-length album were built around concerts and touring, I had no choice but to postpone the album’s release,” she said.
Despite the disappointing news, IU assured fans that she remains determined to recover and return as soon as possible. She promised to focus on treatment first before resuming work on both the album and future performances.
“I’ll do my very best to come back with a new album and concerts as soon as I can so the wait won’t be too long. Please wait for me just a little longer.”
Fans immediately flooded social media with messages of support, urging the singer to prioritize her health over any professional schedule. Many praised IU for being transparent about her condition and applauded her decision to follow medical advice rather than risking further complications.
Although the postponement is undoubtedly disappointing for millions of fans, the overwhelming response has been one of understanding and encouragement. For now, supporters around the world are hoping IU can focus entirely on her recovery before making her long-awaited return to the stage and releasing the music she has been preparing.
