Overseasidol.com — On June 6, 2025, GNZ48 member Hong Jingwen officially announced her departure from the idol group.
In a heartfelt and candid statement posted online, she not only bid farewell to her fans but also exposed the psychological toll and systemic issues within the organization, highlighting a troubling mental health crisis affecting many group members.
Hong, who joined GNZ48 in January 2016, reflected on her nine-year journey with emotion, recalling the joy of performing, the overwhelming support from fans, and the sacrifices she made behind the scenes.
Despite the deep love she holds for the stage and her supporters, Hong admitted that in recent years, she had lost her sense of direction and struggled to find meaning in her work.
She described the repetitive routine as mechanical and mentally draining.
What shocked fans the most was her revelation that many GNZ48 members are also struggling with mental health issues.
Hong recounted frequent nightmares and episodes of emotional breakdown, which eventually led doctors to recommend a complete change in environment for the sake of her wellbeing.
“I don’t want to keep falling deeper,” she wrote, referring to the emotional abyss she had been trapped in.
She criticized the management for failing to provide basic support systems such as official sick leave or social insurance.
According to her, the company gave her an ultimatum: either take a break (without pay or medical support) or terminate her contract, effectively ending her career in performance.
Faced with this impossible choice, she opted to leave the group in order to preserve her health and legal rights.
Hong’s statement also served as a powerful message to the company, urging them to take responsibility for the psychological and emotional health of their artists, particularly the young girls chasing their dreams within the group.
She warned against exploiting artists under the guise of contract terms without offering the support needed for their development and well-being.
Even though she had only one year left on her contract, Hong explained that staying in an environment she no longer believed in would only lead to emotional exhaustion.
She expressed gratitude to her family, fellow members, and loyal fans who had supported her throughout her career.
While her departure may seem abrupt to some, she assured that this is not a goodbye, but rather a pause, a necessary step toward healing and rediscovering herself before returning to the public eye.
