On January 5, 2026, fans of the innovative 24-member girl group tripleS received heartening news as member Kotone officially signaled her return to activities following a brief hiatus.
This comeback coincides with her third anniversary since moving into the “S” (the group’s residential dormitory system), making the occasion especially meaningful for both the artist and the fandom, known as WAV.
A Much-Needed Recovery Period
Kotone’s health break was first announced by Modhaus on November 27, 2025. According to the agency’s statement at the time, she had been suffering from symptoms related to cumulative fatigue and stress.
Following a consultation with medical professionals, she was advised to take a complete rest, leading her to temporarily sit out of:
- Domestic music show promotions for the unit msnz (and the track “Christmas Alone”).
- Activities for the Japanese unit tripleS ∞! (Hatchi).
- Scheduled fan signs and global offline events.
Also Read: The Celestial Comeback: tripleS-msnz Prepares for ‘Beyond Beauty’ Album Launch
The hiatus followed an emotional period where Kotone had expressed deep disappointment via the fan communication app fromm regarding her inability to participate in Korean music shows due to pre-arranged conflicting schedules in Japan.
2026 Return: “Colanghae”
Kotone’s official return was marked by a series of social media updates and a personal message to fans on January 5, 2026. Celebrating three years since her “S” reveal, she posted a heartfelt message on X (Twitter), stating:
“It’s already my 3rd anniversary since moving in… WAV, thank you, I miss you so much 🙂 Let’s stay together for a long, long time from now on too. Colanghae!”
Back in the “Signal”
In addition to her social media presence, Kotone has resumed filming for the group’s daily vlog series, SIGNAL, and is expected to participate in the group’s full lineup activities planned for early 2026.
Fans have noted her refreshed energy in recent video clips, celebrating her return with trending hashtags globally.
Also Read: tripleS Alphie Announces North American Leg of 2025 ‘Alpha Percent’ World Tour
tripleS in 2026: The “Full Scale” Era
Kotone returns at a pivotal moment for tripleS. With all 24 members now revealed and active, the group is gearing up for:
- “Secret Transfer Student” Season 2: Continued variety appearances.
- New Unit “Gravities”: Fans are currently voting on new sub-unit combinations for the spring 2026 season.
- World Tour Expansion: Following the success of their 2025 tours, a more extensive global tour featuring the full 24-member roster is rumored for mid-2026.
Modhaus has emphasized that while Kotone is back, they will continue to monitor her health closely to ensure she can maintain her schedule without further burnout.
For now, WAVs are simply delighted to see one of the group’s most charismatic performers back where she belongs—on the stage and with her members.
