The actor's agency said repeated nosebleeds (epistaxis) over a long period and results from detailed tests made surgery unavoidable.
Because the film "Sister" opens on January 28, she will miss some promotional events and will prioritize recovery for the time being.
Fans and colleagues have sent messages wishing her a full recovery, and the film team is rearranging promotion plans to cover her absence.
Cha Ju-young’s pause: Health first, or a gap in responsibility?
On January 25–26, 2026, Ghost Studio issued an official statement announcing that Cha Ju-young would halt activities temporarily due to medical treatment.
After repeated nosebleeds, she underwent detailed examinations and concurrent treatment, and medical staff advised surgery as the next step.
With the film "Sister" due to premiere on January 28, her absence from some publicity events is now confirmed.
This is more than a simple missed appearance or schedule change.
When a public figure steps back for health reasons, the decision affects promotion, the film’s public image, and how fans connect with the work.
However, the priority must be the individual’s recovery and long-term health.
The agency did not release detailed medical data.
That may reflect the need to protect a patient’s privacy and the sensitivity of medical records.
Meanwhile, the timing naturally invites speculation from fans and the press.
Medical causes and diagnosis
At the core is health.The agency said recovery is the top priority.
Repeated nosebleeds are not the same as an occasional, brief nosebleed.
They can stem from trauma, nasal dryness, structural issues such as a deviated septum, vascular lesions, or systemic conditions that affect bleeding (problems with blood clotting, for example).
Detailed evaluation typically includes nasal endoscopy, radiologic imaging, and blood tests to determine the cause and whether surgery is required.
ENT surgical procedures vary by cause.
Some operations correct structural problems in the nasal septum (the wall between the nostrils), while others remove abnormal blood vessels or use cauterization and embolization (procedures to stop bleeding) to address vascular lesions.
After surgery, risks such as recurrent bleeding, infection, and the time needed to heal must be taken into account when planning a return to work.
Recovery time depends on the procedure and the individual.
Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures often allow a shorter recovery, but more extensive corrective or vascular surgeries usually require longer rest and monitoring.
For performers, returning to shoots or promotional events should be decided with the treating physician to ensure safety.
Impact on fans and the film industry
Change follows closely.The announcement a week before release affects promotional strategy immediately.
An absent cast member shifts responsibilities to co-stars and staff, and in-person events or interviews must be replaced or reimagined.
This affects audience expectations and can subtly influence critics and box-office momentum.
Fan clubs and social media respond quickly.
Some fans who expected meet-and-greets may feel disappointed, but many also call for the actor’s health to come first.
Past cases show that when celebrities prioritize recovery, fans often rally in support and that solidarity can strengthen long-term trust.
Distributors and publicity teams prepare contingency plans as risk management.
They may use substitute promotions, video-on-demand interviews, and pre-recorded messages to fill the gap while trying to keep communication with audiences authentic.
Public view and celebrity health
This is a discussion worth having.Balance is needed between disclosure and privacy.
Health issues for public figures sit at the crossroads of public interest and private rights.
Fans and journalists want information, yet medical details are sensitive and have limits on how much should be shared.
Agencies should therefore convey essential facts while protecting the individual’s dignity and medical privacy.
At the same time, celebrities are workers and public figures.
They have contractual obligations and responsibilities to audiences, but adjusting activities for medical reasons is a legitimate response in legal and ethical terms.
The workplace principle of prioritizing safety and health should apply equally in the entertainment industry.
In favor: the case for prioritizing health
Health comes first.First, repeated nosebleeds can lead to complications beyond inconvenience.
Timely surgery and treatment prevent more serious problems later.
Delaying needed care risks longer absences and higher medical burdens down the line.
Second, managing a career means protecting the actor’s long-term ability to work.
Returning only when fully recovered helps ensure performance quality and professional longevity.
Audiences also tend to respect a sincere recovery process and may reward authenticity with lasting support.
Third, from an industry perspective, short-term promotional losses are often manageable.
Distributors and producers can use multiple marketing channels, and long-term box office performance depends more on the film’s quality and word of mouth than a single promotional event.
Many medical and industry professionals therefore support decisions that favor health and risk reduction.
Against: concerns about promotion and responsibility
Responsibility matters too.Missing scheduled events inevitably affects promotion.
First, pre-release promotion directly affects audience turnout.
Key events—live appearances and interviews—boost media exposure and drive interest. An absent lead can reduce the immediate promotional impact.
Second, the burden shifts to producers and fellow cast members.
They may need to take on extra events, alter interview formats, or change how they meet audiences, which creates hidden costs and logistical strain.
These adjustments can force marketing teams to reallocate budgets and rethink strategies.
Third, fans’ immediate disappointment can affect early responses.
Those expecting in-person events may feel let down and some viewers may shift plans about what to see first.
This perspective does not deny the importance of health.
Rather, it asks for a balanced decision that weighs contractual obligations, production costs, and promotional outcomes alongside medical necessity.
Practical alternatives and recommended steps
Workable actions exist.First, agencies and production companies should share minimum, privacy-respecting updates.
They can give a general medical summary, an expected timeline, and an outline of alternate promotion plans without revealing sensitive details.
This reduces fan anxiety and preserves trust in the project.
Second, boost remote and digital promotion.
Pre-recorded video messages, online interviews, and honest social media posts let the actor connect without risking recovery.
Meanwhile, in-person events can be rescheduled based on medical advice.
Third, the actor and agency should set a phased return plan in consultation with doctors.
Defining stages for resuming activities—light promotion first, then full participation—gives everyone predictability and reduces sudden disruptions.
The key is finding a balance between protecting health and meeting responsibilities to the work and the audience.
This episode is more than a schedule change.
It highlights the need for solutions where a performer’s right to health, a production’s promotional needs, and fans’ expectations can coexist.
In short, a surgery decision after repeated nosebleeds should be treated as a medical necessity unless proven otherwise.
At the same time, production teams and the agency should maintain transparent, respectful communication and deploy alternative promotion to sustain the film’s visibility.
Fans can support by wishing a safe recovery and keeping interest in the project alive.
What do you think? How should decision-makers balance health and responsibility when a performer’s medical needs affect a major release?
