“Hiatus” — a short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or a space where something is missing, according to the Cambridge Dictionary.
It’s a word that tends to send K‑pop fans into panic mode — but it’s also a word familiar to students everywhere, even if no one writes headlines when they take one.
That’s the real story behind Katseye Manon Bannerman’s recently announced break (Feb 20, 2026, via HYBE and Geffen, the labels signed as “HxG”).
While the internet debates whether her hiatus signals trouble, anyone who has ever taken a study break, deferred a semester, or lightened a course load will recognise this truth: sometimes stepping back is a necessary part of survival.
Katseye Manon is a graduate of a private Swiss school. Source: X/@katseyeworld
Who was Manon before Katseye?
Understanding her background, her upbringing, and her education might offer a clearer picture of how she navigates pressure today.
Raised in Lucerne, Switzerland, Manon had a dream — to be “as famous as Beyoncé”.
At 15, she taught herself to play the piano and ukulele and write her own songs. When it came time to choose schools, Manon studied at Atelierschule in Zurich. The school focuses on anthroposophic education, a “system of private schools is based on a philosophy that prioritises the arts and the imagination.”
The private school is considered a strong option among Swiss Waldorf schools, as it is one of the few in the region to offer a recognised diploma that leads to universities.
Will Manon leave Katseye?
Idols and celebrities burn out.
- BABYMONSTER’s Rami is currently on a health-related break.
- Monsta X’s I.M stepped away for three weeks due to back pain.
- TWICE’s Jeongyeon previously paused activities to focus on anxiety and a herniated disc.
- SEVENTEEN’s Seungkwan and IVE’s Rei also took time off to recover.
In an industry known for relentless schedules, these breaks are necessary.
University students know this feeling better than anyone. Academic burnout mirrors idol burnout — just without the global spotlight.
Which brings us back to Katseye Manon.
She has stepped away from activities before. She was absent from Summer Sonic Tokyo (2025), a Seattle concert, and even “Gabriella” recordings, all reportedly due to health concerns.
Students have left their studies or co-curriculars too. South Korea’s top three medical schools are seeing “record withdrawals” — nearly 2,500 in 2024.
Handshake found that more than 80% of 2024 graduates have experienced symptoms of burnout. Another 2025 study found that 73.2% of students were moderately to highly stressed, with females having higher stress levels than males.
Universities worldwide have expanded counselling services because demand has surged.
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Despite more awareness about mental health, criticism still follows claims of burnout.
Some labelled Katseye Manon “lazy,” especially after spotting her at other celebrity events during her downtime.
Even during “The Debut: Dream Academy,” the show that formed Katseye, Manon occasionally missed practices or arrived late, something critics now point to as a pattern.
Fans, even fellow celebrities, have defended her, arguing that knowing when to pause is a strength.
But maybe we need to rethink what taking a break really says about something, because students do it too — just without the headlines.
In many countries, taking a gap year is normalised. In places like Switzerland (where Manon is from) and the UK, structured breaks between secondary school and university are common. Students travel, intern, work, or simply reflect.
