Photo = Weverse ILLIT post

 

MOKA, a member of the group ILLIT, moved fans’ hearts by shedding tears on her third stage since returning from a hiatus due to health issues.

 

Earlier, on April 20, her agency BELIFT LAB announced that MOKA had received medical treatment due to health abnormalities and that, based on medical staff’s judgment, she needed continued treatment and sufficient rest, and would therefore not participate in activities for the time being. At the time, the agency said, “MOKA herself has a strong will to participate in activities, but recovery comes first.”

 

After about 40 days of absence, BELIFT LAB announced on May 29, “MOKA has been focusing on recovery while receiving treatment and resting, and we have received medical staff’s opinion that she can resume activities within a range that does not overstrain her,” adding that she would join the final week of music show promotions starting with KBS2 Music Bank, which aired that day. However, the agency added that some schedules would be operated flexibly with her condition as the top priority, and that she would not appear at Weverse Con on June 6 due to not participating in rehearsals.

 

However, concerns became reality at SBS Inkigayo on May 31, her third stage since returning. MOKA was seen unable to hold back tears during the performance of 'It's Me,' and in the end, she left the stage with support from the members at the end of the performance. Fans at the scene said, “During the camera rehearsal, she performed the stage as usual, but during the actual recording, she started crying from the beginning and eventually finished the ending with support from the members.” Fans who watched the broadcast on TV also expressed their sadness, saying, “Seeing her hold back tears while performing felt like my heart was breaking.” Meanwhile, ILLIT’s performance video from that day was not uploaded to Inkigayo’s official YouTube channel, adding to fans’ concerns.

 

Member YUNAH later shared the situation through Weverse Live. YUNAH said, “MOKA was not in good condition, but she missed GLLIT (ILLIT’s fandom name) so much that she completed the stage until the end,” adding, “The members could also fully feel that, and we were deeply moved.” She added, “I hope MOKA also feels proud of herself for making it through until the end.”

 

MOKA also personally shared her feelings with fans through the fan communication platform Weverse. She said, “I did not want to make you worry, but I think I made a slightly selfish choice,” but confessed, “My condition dropped a little right before the stage, but it was the final broadcast, and I really wanted to perform on stage in that wig.” She also said, “Even though I knew GLLIT would be upset if I showed that side of myself in front of them, I felt like I would regret it so much if I did not do the final stage.” She then reassured fans, saying, “I will not give up and will stay by your side until my body is completely okay.”

 

MOKA’s earnestness toward the stage had already been revealed the day before. At the fan meeting for MBC Show! Music Core on May 30, MOKA said, “Because I was afraid GLLIT would forget me,” indirectly expressing how she felt watching the group promote as four members without her. Fans shared their sadness, saying, “This hurts so much” and “I can only imagine what kind of heart she had while trying to recover…”

 

Although she described it herself as a “selfish choice,” it was a choice filled with more love for fans than anyone else. MOKA’s sincerity in wanting to show herself to fans at least on the final stage, even when her body was not fully well, reached GLLIT completely, regardless of the form it took.