It was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, fans at NEXZ’s Japan fan sign event got a surprise they weren’t expecting — and not the good kind.
On May 17, 2026 KST, JYP Entertainment officially announced that Yu, one of the seven members of the group NEXZ, would be unable to attend the “Mmchk Special Japan Fan Sign Event” taking place that day. The reason? An unexpected administrative issue that caused difficulties with his entry procedures into Japan.
JYP’s Official Statement
JYP Entertainment released a formal statement addressing the situation directly:
“We regret to inform you that Yu will be unable to attend the NEXZ – Mmchk Special Japan Fan Sign Event scheduled to take place in Japan on Sunday, May 17. Due to an unexpected administrative issue, Yu encountered difficulties with entry procedures and, unfortunately, will not be able to participate in the event. Accordingly, the upcoming event will proceed with the remaining 6 members excluding Yu. We sincerely apologize to all the fans who were looking forward to the event.”
No further details about the nature of the administrative issue were disclosed. The event itself went ahead as scheduled with the remaining six members.
Who Is NEXZ — and Who Is Yu?
NEXZ (pronounced “nex-zee”) is a seven-member global boy group under JYP Entertainment and Sony Music Labels, formed through the Japanese survival show Nizi Project Season 2. The group debuted on May 20, 2024 with their single “Ride the Vibe” and has since built a dedicated fanbase — called NEX2Y (Next to You) — across both Korea and Japan.
| Member | Position | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Tomoya | Leader, Dancer, Vocalist | Japanese |
| Yu | Vocalist, Dancer | Japanese |
| Haru | Dance Leader, Vocalist | Japanese |
| So Geon | Vocalist | Korean |
| Seita | Vocalist, Rapper | Japanese |
| Hyui | Main Rapper | Japanese |
| Yuki | Main Vocalist | Japanese |
Yu (full name Yamato Yu) is the group’s oldest member, born April 27, 2005, from Fukuoka, Japan. As a dancer and vocalist, he’s long been one of the group’s most recognizable faces on stage. For fans who traveled specifically to see him at the fan sign event, news of his absence was understandably disappointing.
The “Mmchk Special Japan Fan Sign Event” is tied to the group’s latest single “Mmchk”, released in April 2026 — their most recent comeback ahead of their third Japanese EP Hellmate, set to drop on June 24, 2026.
Fans Send Love and Support
While the news was disappointing, most fans responded with understanding and warmth — sending Yu supportive messages online and wishing him a quick resolution to the issue.
Stay updated on all NEXZ news, comebacks, and event announcements at TechnoSports, and find more K-pop updates at TechnoSports.
