HYBE Idol Seen “Having Fun” With Alleged Boyfriend During Hiatus, Sparking Heated Reactions

Currently, two members of KATSEYE, Manon and Sophia, are on hiatus from the group’s activities.

Manon’s hiatus was announced back in February to mixed reactions, while Sophia was more recently announced to be taking a mental health-related hiatus. The group is currently promoted as four, with some debate over the reception each member received.

“She’s On Vacation…”  — KATSEYE’s Sophia Blasted After Cancelling Schedule Citing Illness

Recently, Sophia was spotted at Disneyland theme park in California. In a post in a Disney-related Facebook group, a woman shared that her family had stood in line with Sophia and ridden the ride with her, including a photo as proof.

In the photo, Sophia can be seen alongside rumored boyfriend Leon Barretto, an influencer and the son of actress Marjorie Barretto.

Some have expressed negative feelings towards the discovery, comparing reactions to Manon’s activities during her hiatus.

sophia spotted at disney land living it up while on hiatus but you’ll never catch management trying to erase her or those girls shading her.. yet when it’s manon who was FORCED on hiatus, she’s lazy and needs to #showup pic.twitter.com/ae8TPcEzUu

— big ceo (@korysverse) August 19, 2026

what happened to showing up no matter what? mind you she’s supposed to be promoting an album rn.

— tyla #MANONNATION (@MER3TMANON) August 19, 2026

The double standards are wild. They dragged Manon for going out while on a forced hiatus, calling her lazy and saying she never wanted to be in the group. But now that their fave is at Disney with her bf, suddenly its “she’s on a mental hiatus, let her have fun” Oh okay

— Honest sophia stan ꕤ ｡° (@pinkmanzie) August 19, 2026

On the other hand, fans defended her, stating that there was nothing wrong with the idol having fun while taking a break from the spotlight.

oh right my bad we all forgot you are not allowed to have fun on a mental health break to ease the stress from the constant hate you get from the internet. let’s just have sophia go back home and wallow in misery locked up in her room since yall nitpick everything for manon pic.twitter.com/6L5yn2T7Ca

— panini (@wolfiiechannie) August 19, 2026

Damn if I went on a hiatus for mental health reasons I would do same to. Why everyone so worked up on this? 💀 It’s normal to enjoy your mental health break.

— COCONUTS (@DcKoko52198) August 19, 2026

y’all do realize a mental health break doesn’t mean she has to stay inside the house and do nothing right?😭

— max misses Sophia💜 (@katsmeifiz) August 19, 2026