Online bullying may have traumatized Japanese star Mina. Screen capture from YouTube

By Ko Dong-hwan

There is speculation that the real reason Mina missed the TWICE world tour that just completed its first leg in Los Angeles was anti-Japan fans who attacked the Japanese star online amid worsening Korea-Japan ties.

The anger among Koreans toward Japan has created a movement among K-pop fans here to expel Japanese members of K-pop bands in Korea.

The anti-Japan sentiment follows Japan's exclusion of Korea from its "white list" of trading countries early this month that hit Japanese exports of semiconductor material to Korea, a global chip-making giant.

After JYP Entertainment, TWICE's agency, announced on July 14 that Mina would miss the tour due to "mental distress," speculation mounted that anti-Japan fans may have traumatized the star.

JYP had said on TWICE's official homepage that Mina was "suddenly feeling extremely nervous and anxious about performing on stage."

TWICE perform without Mina at The Forum in Los Angeles on July 19. Courtesy of JYP Entertainment

"We do not exactly know the name of the condition, but are inquiring with medical institutions to verify the cause," the agency said.

The agency said the decision that Mina should miss the "TWICE World Tour 2019 TWICELIGHTS" was made after a thorough discussion with the star and the group's other eight members.

TWICE completed its first leg of the world tour at The Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles on July 19, attracting an audience of 11,000.

After continuing to Mexico City, Newark, Chicago and Kuala Lumpur, the band will play across seven Japanese cities from Oct. 23.