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"I said we slept together to look cool"... Ju Haknyeon, idol or just emotionally immature

"I drank alcohol, but I didn't engage in prostitution."

Ju Haknyeon admitted to meeting the AV (adult video) actress. However, he limited that admission to just "a drinking party." He drew a clear line against the prostitution allegations (which were originally raised by a media outlet).

Ju Haknyeon has turned the situation into a "truth game". He portrayed himself as an underdog in the entertainment industry, saying, “Someone without power can be destroyed over something they didn't do (like prostitution).”

At the same time, he framed this situation as a symbol of hope — a fight between a weak individual (himself) who simply attended a private drinking session with an AV actress and the powerful company pushing him to leave the team.

"I'm determined to go all the way to uncover the truth. I hope this fight can become a small source of hope for someone out there." — Ju Haknyeon

But what exactly is Ju Haknyeon feeling so wronged about? And what warning did the agency give him?

Dispatch retraced the events of May 30 — the night in question — and included testimonies from individuals connected to THE BOYZ.

When: May 30, 2025 Who: Ju Haknyeon, Male A (Japanese designer), Male B (designer’s acquaintance), Asuka Kirara, Japanese women C, D, E, etc. Where: Izakaya/pub (1 AM), karaoke (2 AM), private room (4 AM), Kirara’s home (6 AM), etc. What:

Ju Haknyeon met with a Japanese designer and acquaintances at a pub (1st round)

Then moved to karaoke (2nd round)

For the 3rd round, they moved to a private room, where Asuka Kirara and several women joined

After the drinking session, Ju Haknyeon and Kirara went by taxi to her home

Ju returned to the group’s hotel (members' accommodation) in the morning

How: According to a questionnaire from Shukan Bunshun, Ju Haknyeon and Asuka Kirara were seen engaging in physical affection (e.g., hugging) on the streets of Roppongi. Then they got into a taxi and headed to her residence. The media outlet requested the agency to confirm the nature of their relationship.

Why: ONEHUNDRED held meetings with Ju Haknyeon and the members to confirm the facts. Concluding that Ju’s private actions — including drinking with an AV actress, public displays of affection, and leaving the group’s hotel — would negatively impact the group's activities, they issued a notice of contract termination.

To summarize, the confirmed facts are:

Ju Haknyeon drank with Asuka Kirara

Afterward, the two went to her home by taxi

He returned to the hotel in the morning

Ju Haknyeon admitted to the incident during the first meeting with his agency. He reportedly said,

“I didn’t pay. The hyungs paid. I don’t want to cause any more damage to the members.”

ONEHUNDRED (his agency) had two major concerns:

The potential fallout if photos of physical affection with the AV actress were made public.

If his party paid compensation to the AV actress or others, it could lead to legal problems.

“According to Clause 6, Paragraph 3 of the exclusive contract — ‘Acts that damage the dignity of a pop culture artist to the extent that they interfere with entertainment activities’…” (ONEHUNDRED)

The agency invoked Clause 6-3 of the exclusive contract to demand termination, reasoning that:

Drinking with an AV actress

Public affection in the streets …would negatively affect the group, especially since their fanbase is largely female.

Additionally, testimony from a group insider played a decisive role in Ju's removal:

“Ju Haknyeon bragged that he slept with Kirara. Moreover, Kirara is engaged. There were concerns about backlash from both Korean and Japanese fans.”

A The Boyz staff member also shared:

“He didn’t return to the hotel that night. When asked where he was, he said he had been at Asuka Kirara’s house and boasted that he slept with her.” “Once the departure (from the group) was decided, he claimed it was unfair, saying they didn’t actually have sex at her place — that he only said it to ‘look cool’ and changed his story.”

“Aside from my former profession, I have never engaged in prostitution even once. No matter how large the amount offered, I have never received money in private to engage in sexual acts. Of course, I swear I did not engage in such acts this time either. I don’t know if people will believe me, but it is the truth. I don’t understand how this kind of baseless rumor spread.”

Ju Haknyeon has announced plans for legal action.

“I was unilaterally kicked out of the team just because I was in a private gathering with a famous person.” (Ju Haknyeon) “This society may become a place where those without power can be destroyed for things they didn’t do.” (Ju Haknyeon) “If there is any evidence that I engaged in prostitution, please reveal it immediately.” (Ju Haknyeon)

Currently, Ju Haknyeon is waging a battle over the “prostitution” accusation. However, the reason for his removal lies elsewhere — not legal guilt, but a matter of idol image and sensibility. Specifically: the drinking party with an AV actress, public affection in the street, and leaving the group accommodation — all seen as damaging to the dignity of an artist.

Finally, Dispatch revealed it exchanged DMs with Asuka Kirara. She initially stated:

“Outside of work, I have never engaged in prostitution. No matter how large the amount, I have never had sex in exchange for money in private.”

Dispatch followed up:

“What was the reason for attending that gathering?” “If there’s any misunderstanding, would you agree to an interview? We’re willing to travel to Japan.”

But Asuka Kirara did not respond further.

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③ "Seunghyub, a Remarkable Leader · Admiration" N.Flying's Genuine Love and Romance

Praise for the members is endless, and their perfectly synchronized teamwork knows no bounds. The unique bond among N.Flying members, seen in YouTube content, shines brightly even in interview settings. While Seunghyub may appear slightly reserved and shy alone, once with the members, he becomes a complete chatterbox, and together they are so hilariously funny that they could rival professional comedians. Even with just three members together, they bring so much joy; imagining the full five-member group flying around is both exciting and highly anticipated.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Joy News 24 highlighted N.Flying's most dynamic activities this year while eagerly anticipating the full group's activities next year. Seunghyub, Cha Hun, and Hweseung, the trusted-listen band of N.Flying, recently conducted an interview at the FNC headquarters. The youngest member playing bass, Seo Dongsung, completed his military service on November 7th, and drummer Kim Jaehyun is set to be discharged in February next year. Cha Hun, who returned in September after completing military service, has been actively engaging with the public through various festivals and tours in Japan alongside Seunghyub and Hweseung. Currently leading the band boom, N.Flying is considered a top-tier leader in the domestic music scene, receiving top priority invitations for major festivals and university events as a true mainstream band.

◇ Ultimately Ending in Praise, N.Flying's Intense Member Love

N.Flying is renowned as a band with exceptional vocal and instrumental skills, and overwhelming stage presence. However, even with their near-perfect abilities, live performances naturally entail minor mistakes. Especially, Seunghyub is known for turning lyric mistakes into amusing moments, often joking and laughing with fans, which has become a fun aspect of N.Flying's performances.

When asked about this, Seunghyub remarked, "Making noticeable mistakes can also be part of the performance. Unless it's a major mistake, fans enjoy it and find it funny in the moment. I think of these incidents as part of the experience." He added, "Of course, it shouldn't become too frequent. There's a difference between a mistake made by someone who is prepared and one made by someone who isn't. When you're in a prepared state and momentarily miss something due to enjoying the moment happily, the audience can also feel that emotion and laugh it off. But if you're not prepared and make a mistake, that can't happen. As long as it's not that, since I'm fully prepared, I can enjoy it enough."

He then quickly reflected, "Sometimes, even minor mistakes shouldn't happen. So, I'll strive harder."

On the other hand, Hweseung shared, "Even if others perceive it as a minor mistake, I've been influenced so much that after it's over, I wouldn't say a word in the car." He mentioned how he used to fall into despair when making mistakes in the past.

He explained, "I guess from the start with the hyungs, I wanted everything to be perfect. Especially joining as a new member, I wanted to quickly catch up with what the hyungs had been doing and show a harmonious appearance with them. So, I couldn't tolerate those minor mistakes. I tried hard, but in those moments, I regretted those mistakes continuously. That's why I couldn't take care of my mental health."

He continued, "The hyungs can tell just by looking at my expression, 'Oh, he's stuck in this again today.' In the car, they comfort me, saying, 'It's okay, it wasn't noticeable,' but it was like that for several years." He added, "I found myself trapped in a maze alone at home, and at some point, I realized I needed to grow up quickly and return to reality. Even if I keep dwelling on it, nothing will change, so it became 'Let's quickly move forward in a better direction.' And continuing to be trapped in anguish also meant taking away energy from the members, so I felt responsibility in that aspect too."

So he tried to find a way to quickly overcome mistakes. Hweseung added, "Instead of becoming numb to mistakes, these days when I make a mistake, it ignites a vengeance in me for the next time." He continued, "I remind myself a lot to burn brighter so that I can do better next time." Sitting beside him, Cha Hun looked fondly at his younger brother Hweseung with a smile.

Seunghyub chimed in, praising Hweseung's efforts, "He's really amazing. I've seen him in despair many times, and after every performance, it doesn't end there. He holds onto it for days, thinks a lot, and we talk to each other. Eventually, I realized that Hweseung's growth rate became so frighteningly fast."

He continued, "What I worry about is that there are many events and festivals, so I'm concerned about Hweseung's voice. The durability of vocal cords begins to wear out in your thirties, so we need to manage it well now to maintain this condition." He added, "That's why we discussed finding a direction, such as having other members play more, lowering the key, or turning the microphone to the fans. But Hweseung mentioned, 'I recently saw some seniors do something. If I learn the vocal techniques they use, I think I can solve that.'"

To this, Hweseung responded, "I'm researching something new right now. I want to receive what the seniors are doing and try to make it possible. So I'm currently experimenting with it," indicating his greater efforts and attempts as a vocalist.

Seunghyub then exclaimed, "Yesterday, during rehearsal, the sound changed a bit. I feel like the sound changes every time we practice." He marveled, "Normally, that doesn't happen. But I was so surprised at what he was thinking and living."

He continued, "MBC 'Song Stealer' senior Ha Dongkyun, SBS 'The Listen' seniors DK and Lee Hajun, and Park Hyoshin's musical 'The Man who Laughs' number—all these moments within the boundary are what I copy and show directly on stage," expressing his admiration for his younger brother. The interview room filled with Hweseung's cheerful laughter.

◇ "Always a Great Determination", "Proud Like My Own Child": N.Flying's Genuine Love

Naturally, the member praise session began. When asked when he relies on the members, Seunghyub responded, "Always. When I'm struggling, I naturally turn to the members." He continued, "In the life of making music moving forward, there may be lonely and difficult moments, but the members are always there for me."

Cha Hun recalled, "I can pinpoint it. It was on my birthday two years ago. I've lived as a very negative person from birth until now. We were all together at the time, and Seunghyub hyung said, 'Hun, take out the negativity and put in positivity.'" He added, "At first, I thought, 'How is that possible?' So I kept living in that state until Seunghyub hyung said the same thing again. That's when I thought, 'Let's give it a try,' and since then, my personality changed to one that tries to discard negativity and fill it with positivity," confessing how Seunghyub's advice became a turning point.

He went on, "If I didn't have the members, I wouldn't have had such thoughts or any changes." He expressed deep trust in the members, saying, "The reason I can resolve to change and believe in being able to change is because there are members I can rely on and treasure the most. It was the event that made me rely on the members and cherish them the most." Hearing this, Seunghyub jokingly remarked, "Even though I've been in this for 10 years, it's still awkward to hear such things," laughing cheerfully to lighten the mood.

Hweseung also shared similar emotions towards the members. He mentioned, "When I was struggling and made a phone call once, they all gathered together unreasonably," recalling a day when they unexpectedly gathered at his home. Seunghyub teased, "That's why I said it's awkward," adding humor to prevent the atmosphere from becoming too serious.

Hweseung continued, "Also, there are times when the hyungs play a central role in what they do. For example, when Hun hyung played a guitar solo with others at a joint concert or when he does something central alone, watching that gives me a feeling like 'raising a child well' inside." He expressed, "When our member shows something to the public that only I saw or something of their own, I feel pride vicariously, thinking 'This is genuine love.' It's so proud and proud that I think, 'Our member shouldn't be anyone else.'" He confessed his special love for the members.

In response to this, Seunghyub jokingly remarked, "How long will we be like this?" then directed to Cha Hun, "Try to remove some of the negativity," making everyone laugh again.

◇ Cha Hun, Hweseung's Description of True Leader Lee Seunghyub

The praise session that made Seunghyub feel awkward continued with highlighting "Lee Seunghyub's leadership." Hweseung commented, "It varies depending on the time, but what I feel is truly impressive these days, although I don't know exactly how much it is, isn't there something like brain capacity in people?" He continued, "The way hyung thinks about the members and our future feels like exceeding capacity."

He further said, "Yet, despite everything, what hasn't changed from the beginning to now is his saying 'I won't collapse,' 'I won't get tired.' It's really amazing to the point of being scary," expressing, "He even shows it in his results. That's why I always respect and think that this level is necessary to be a leader."

Cha Hun, who admitted, "I really don't trust people," added, "But when it comes to what Seunghyub hyung says and decides, I've never objected even once. He's someone who gives trust, and I feel that I can trust him," revealing, "I think this level of taking care of the members and having this level of leadership is what makes a leader."

However, this seriousness didn't last long. Shortly after, mixing past stories with jokes, Seunghyub said, "If we have something funny among ourselves, it becomes so cheesy that it's nothing special when we secretly whisper," and clarified, "It's not like that outside."

Hweseung also added, "I'm not like that either. When I appear on other programs, those who have seen me a lot as N.Flying would say, 'Hweseung, why are you so quiet?' or 'You're quieter than I thought.'" To this, Cha Hun quipped, "That's why I don't go outside," prompting Seunghyub to jokingly declare, "Everyone here has issues," causing laughter all around.

◇ Embracing a New Challenge… The Variety Show They Want is 'Jeon Cham Si'

Lee Seunghyub, following his appearances in tvN's 'Lovely Runner' and 'Love Next Door', is currently actively involved in filming the new drama 'Spring of the Four Seasons'. Yoo Hweseung successfully showcased his musical talents by leading the curtain call for the musical 'Next to Normal' in May. Cha Hun has also ventured into acting through a web drama.

Regarding his acting activities, Yoo Hweseung expressed, "I always have it in my heart and I ponder a lot. Nowadays, I want to take on new challenges." He mentioned, "I feel like I don't have much experience even within musicals. So, while I have many opportunities, I both desire to learn and grow within them and am fearful. It seems contradictory," he said, adding, "It's always fearful when facing new attempts. It's not yet time, but I'm preparing to face it. Someday, I want to try it, but there's also a fear of 'will I be afraid?'"

Cha Hun also remarked, "I always want to act. For now, I have a set schedule and there are many things I need to prepare for, so I haven't been able to receive lessons or audition after discharge. If I have time, I plan to receive lessons and audition."

Fans eagerly anticipate each member's turn in '승협캠프' (N.Flying's self-content), where expectations are high. Lee Seunghyub explained, "Actually, Hweseung and I planned to do 'Summer Seunghyub Camp' first. However, schedules overlapped with festivals and other events, preventing us from realizing our plans," expressing regret, he added, "'Director of 여승캠' also said, 'Isn't it only 여승캠 when all members are present?'"

So, are there any variety shows that N.Flying members want to appear in? Yoo Hweseung hinted eagerly, "There's a variety show I want to do with the members," mentioning MBC's 'Omniscient Interfering View'. 'Omniscient Interfering View' is one of the variety shows fans hope to see N.Flying appear on.

Cha Hun explained, "The chemistry among our members is great, but I also think the chemistry with those who join us is good," he said, adding, "I can't think of the right word, but I think it would be fun with a 'tit for tat' strategy against our managers."

Yoo Hweseung continued, "It's about chemistry, but there are still many things I don't know. I want to let viewers and many people know how much our managers are putting in for us," expressing, "Even though we can't see it, they wake up early every morning without weekends to tidy things up. I want to document and go out for that reason," expressing a special sentiment. Lee Seunghyub then added, "I want to capture Jin Young hyung (manager)'s crying face there. I think I might cry while doing an interview alone."

◇ "From Mark" and the Man with "Zero Immunity," Yoo Hweseung

N.Flying, known for their musical prowess and vocal abilities, is considered a top choice for various music programs. They've appeared prominently on KBS 'Immortal Songs' and MBC's 'King of Mask Singer', and recently showcased their overwhelming presence once again on MBC's 'Singer Stealer' and SBS's 'The Listen'. On 'Singer Stealer', they surprised everyone by selecting 'From Mark'.

Yoo Hweseung reflected, "When I first heard that song at the age of 20, I wasn't a singer. At that time, my spectrum might have been narrow, so I listened to delicate, pretty, and detailed sounds. However, 'From Mark' features delicate yet unrestrained vocalization and emotions. It was music I hadn't easily encountered before, so it was refreshing." He continued, "As I got absorbed in listening, I felt the intensity of the emotions there. Even when I searched for information about the song and album, it was all figurative expressions that didn't clearly explain it. I listened to it like solving a puzzle, not knowing exactly what it meant, but I received comfort from the emotions in the music."

He added, "So, interpreting it as 'Mark is where I want to go,' alone was charming. Of course, there must have been a fixed meaning, but the fun of interpreting and believing in the comfort I received from it as it is." He revealed, "When I first heard that song when I wasn't a singer, I eventually had the opportunity to perform on stage with a senior artist. With that feeling, I prepared to perform 'From Mark'."

Lee Seunghyub chimed in, "I (chose that song) and didn't like it very much. I thought that Hweseung would shine brightly on that stage, but I didn't know whether to choose that song. The production team was also very surprised, and silently thought, 'Are you going to do this?' The difficulty level was too high," he confessed honestly.

On November 10th, Yoo Hweseung's new song '미워하다, 그리워하고' will be released through music streaming sites as part of 'The Listen: Together Again'. He said, "I found out that the song was written by writers who were at the company, so I recorded it with pleasure." Self-proclaimed "man with zero immunity," Yoo Hweseung recalled his feelings during busking recordings, saying, "It was very cold. I'm weak against the cold, so I shivered a lot. Actually, I caught a cold right after the first shoot. After that, I immediately started wearing thermal underwear," reminiscing about the cold times.

◇ Youngest Member Discharged! N.Flying Gears Up as 4Flying

The youngest member, Seo Dong Sung, returns after completing military service on the 7th and joins the stage starting from the 'Hanwha Music Festival' in Gyeongju on the 8th. When asked to say a word to the youngest member, Lee Seunghyub remarked, "We talked just yesterday, and I think it could be both enjoyable and tough at times for you." He continued, "Come out and do your best at the things you haven't been able to do, and let's fight together for N.Flying until Jaehyun returns. Don't get tired and let's run hard for N.Fia."

Always putting their sincerity into music and stages, and deeply loving their members and N.Fia, N.Flying dreams of making music together until they're 80 years old. So what is N.Flying's 'romance'? Immediately answering the last question, Lee Seunghyub said, "N.F Village." He added, "I want to create a village unique to N.Flying, but when will that be possible?" He contemplated, "It feels like a romantic notion from the past." Hearing this, Cha Hun added, "I'm still here in N.F Village," giving strength to Lee Seunghyub's words. Yoo Hweseung also empathized with this sentiment.

"When all the members return, I want to tour overseas again and make many memories. My current romance is imagining the five of us back on stage. I don't know what emotions will come when that imagination becomes reality, but imagining that moment has been my strength while waiting for the two years for the members to return. This waiting itself feels romantic. I think I'm a romanticist. Haha. Standing on stage after the members return and seeing N.Fia again is also romantic. Finishing that stage well, gathering together after a long time to have a delicious meal, talk about what happened during military service, and have a beer together—it's our romance," Yoo Hweseung expressed.

◇ Special Request from the Affectionate Senior, Lee Seunghyub: "I Have Something to Say, Please Write This"

Lee Seunghyub actively supported AMPERS&ONE, a junior group under FNC Entertainment, by participating in the lyrics and composition of 'Fly', the first mini album 'ONE QUESTION', along with 'Calling You Back', 'Slide', and 'Whip It'.

In an interview with Joy News24, Na Kamden mentioned, "Senior Lee Seunghyub has so much to learn from. When Mackiah and I were doing rap making, he gave us feedback and told us to keep sending him raps via text." Kamden added, "Even though I could sense he was busy, he said it's okay and suggested we have a meal together." Lee Seunghyub even made a surprise visit to their practice room to show support.

Regarding this, Lee Seunghyub stated, "I have something to say about that. I really want to ask this." He continued, "They are very thankful to me, but honestly, I didn't do much. Kamden and the others mostly handled the work." He explained, "Their own colors were important in the lyrics, so I tried my best not to interfere and to preserve that. I haven't really done much, but they expressed gratitude so elaborately, and I understand their feelings."

He further commented, "I couldn't contact them separately, but I happened to receive the album. Actually, whether their sincerity can be distinguished from the writing is noticeable. These friends wrote from start to finish without any gaps. I'm very grateful." He praised, "I wanted to give strength in their efforts and accumulation, but it feels like I'm the one receiving it. They are friends who practice late into the night and think a lot."

Explaining about the question of why he didn't text, he added another explanation. He said, "I heard Kamden was wondering how to do better. So I called and said, 'Want to talk once? We can have a meal, and it doesn't have to be just about music.' He replied, 'Okay, hyung.' But after that, there was no contact." He clarified, "Recently, our schedules overlapped. He came to say hello, and I was glad to see him, so I asked, 'Why didn't you contact me?'"

Continuing, he shared a behind-the-scenes story of a surprise visit to the practice room. He said, "I'm currently working with a friend, and their practice room is close to Kamden's. I went there, and when I opened the door, Kamden passed by and was so surprised. That's what I saw when I went in." He revealed, "They speak highly of me, but it's actually all them. I just organized and gave direction there. I want to let them know they're doing well," encouraging and supporting AMPERS&ONE.

[창간20년 인터뷰] ③ "이승협, 대단한 리더·존경" 엔플라잉의 찐사랑과 낭만

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② N.Flying: The 'Trustworthy Band' Proven by Talent…“We Want to Become a Great Brand”

2024 has been a year of incredible growth for the band N.Flying, marked by a relentless schedule. If they so much as blinked, new engagements would pop up, as love calls poured in for them. Four consecutive days of live performances were the norm, and they even performed twice in one day at various festivals. This highlights N.Flying’s unmatched influence, being the top choice for performance bookings.

This momentum is grounded in their passion, as they pour their all into every moment. Sometimes, their intensity is so fierce that it’s even a bit intimidating. They consistently train and never slack in practice, proving everything through sheer talent. On top of this, they are admired for their great character as well.

Those who have connected with N.Flying, no matter how brief or significant the interaction, support the band wholeheartedly. While their positive results are certainly a reason, it’s the kindness and consideration they’ve shown that truly moves people. Many industry insiders often comment, "Every member of N.Flying is genuinely kind and works hard."

For instance, during the closing interview of the tvN drama Lovely Runner, Seunghyub greeted people so frequently that he ended up saying hello to one person four times in less than an hour and a half. At this recent interview celebrating the 20th anniversary of Joy News24, Seunghyub quietly opened a bottle and placed a drink in front of someone mid-interview and attentively looked out for the PR team. These gestures were done out of habit, with natural warmth. Similarly, Cha Hun’s attentive and thoughtful remarks and Yoo Hweseung’s warm eye contact and engaging responses show the same kindness. Even after a short conversation, it’s evident that N.Flying members are genuine and pure-hearted young men.

◇ "We Don't Want to Show the Same Stage, Our Desire for Musical Development Grows"

N.Flying's fan love is exceptional. Always pondering and putting into action how to make N.Fia happier and more joyful, N.Flying prioritizes "what N.Fia loves." Despite being incredibly busy with live broadcasts, fan communication platforms, and more, they actively engage with fans. However, many fans worry that their schedules have become too overwhelming and might take a toll on their physical stamina. In response, the members exude positive energy, stating, "It's not tiring at all."

Yoo Hweseung expressed, "Rather than being physically or mentally exhausting, meeting more people in more places naturally fuels our desire for growth." He revealed his musical passion, saying, "We don't want to show the same stage; we want to demonstrate musical progress."

He continued, "While many have steadfastly loved us from the beginning, there are also newcomers coming to see us for the first time. We want to show a variety of new music to our long-time fans so they can feel pride, and to newcomers, we want to show that we are cool people." Reflecting on this balancing act, Yoo Hweseung added, "It's not getting any easier because I want to excel in both areas every time."

Therefore, it's not easy to set the setlist before every performance. Seunghyub mentioned, "We already know the exciting songs for festivals and what we need to do, but since both existing N.Fia and those who continue to come to see our stage are present, we think about how to satisfy both sides." He explained, "However, trying to satisfy both sides seems impossible. It's difficult. University festivals also have a certain atmosphere to maintain. Therefore, we changed our direction to set the setlist according to the characteristics of festivals and performances."

When asked about not including "Rooftop" in their setlist at the Awesome Stage held at Yonsei University in October, Seunghyub remarked, "I really didn't know. I heard fans outside singing 'Rooftop,' so at that moment, I thought, 'Oh, we didn't do 'Rooftop.' It seemed like we were really fixated on it. Since many N.Fia came to this performance, we wanted to quench our thirst for what we've been longing for. N.Fia seemed to notice that something was odd but brushed it off with laughter."

At the Awesome Stage where N.Fia packed the audience, N.Flying arranged relatively calm songs such as "Sober," "Moon & Cheese," "The Night," and "Zip." It was a different song selection compared to other festivals where they need to raise the tension from the beginning to lead enthusiastic cheers and excitement. Yoo Hweseung commented, "There are good aspects to not shouting. Even after almost ten years, there are still things I haven't gotten used to." He confessed, "After a song ends, even though I think N.Fia likes it and I'm sure they do, if there's no reaction on stage, I start thinking, 'Did I do something wrong?'"

Seunghyub added, "It seems to be a characteristic of our N.Fia. It feels like N.Fia should stand up when the concert starts. It's become a habit." He continued, "When performing with other artists, other fans sit while N.Fia tries to stand up. Since we often raise the tension, I think we resemble each other in that regard."

Furthermore, Seunghyub expressed, "As the number of performances increases, we try not to rely solely on the atmosphere of the moment. I don't like it when people think, 'These kids only have energy.' If we used to start with energetic songs like 'Monster' in the past, nowadays we don't. The setlist has changed a lot to start heating up from the first song." He emphasized their ongoing efforts and considerations to create better performances.

Hweseung mentioned, "Nowadays, after singing, I ask the fans during the show, 'Was that good?' When I worry about whether I did well after such a stage, I read the letters fans leave on fan cafes and they say they really liked it. Fans must have a thirst for songs they haven't heard just once or twice. When I gain confidence that they have that thirst, I feel that I did well."

Seunghyub reflected, "Certainly, when Hun returns, things change a lot again. With just the two of us without other members, suddenly there were many events, so the setlist felt somewhat similar." He continued, "With Hun's return, many ideas came in and there are many things we can do. So, when Dongsung and Jaehyun return, I imagine doing songs we've been thinking about in larger venues." He added, "There are many songs we've saved to do when we become a complete group."

◇ N.Flying's unforgettable stages filled with tears and emotion

As masters of live performances, N.Flying exude even more skill and charm on stage. They offer a significantly enjoyable experience live in concert compared to just listening to their songs. Therefore, post-N.Flying performances are never without praise such as "They were really entertaining and talented" or "I became a fan after seeing their performance." So, what are the memorable stages chosen by N.Flying members?

Hweseung recalled, "The first thing that comes to mind is when we first sang 'Stand By Me' in Japan and a few days later, we sang it again in Korea. I cried both times." Seunghyub added, "That's right. I cried a lot on the second performance."

Hweseung further shared, "I rarely cry, but at that time, it was a period of overcoming confusion. When I sing 'Stand By Me,' there's N.Fia. I remember looking at N.Fia while thinking about the lyrics. It was a moment when I felt really moved, grateful to N.Fia and having members beside me. It was overwhelming to have all those emotions come together."

"The second one is when we performed 'Flashback' for N.Fia at '&CON.' We couldn't see N.Fia for a long time due to COVID-19. 'Flashback' was released with those emotions in mind. After such a long time, we finally did '&CON' and thought we could convey what we wanted to say through 'Flashback.' I wanted to do better, so I even changed it to acapella in the middle to deliver it better. Actually, I was worried then too. It could have been tiring during that long period. It was a time of suffering not only musically but also externally due to COVID-19. However, fans who continued to wait patiently and didn't forget came back to fill the venue again for our first performance in a long time. I was really thankful. I had a lot of thoughts when performing songs we had been waiting to perform in front of N.Fia."

Chahun chose 'THE REAL' performed in Tokyo, Japan in 2018. He said, "At that time, I was foolishly worrying alone. I wondered how we could show more of the band's charm, how we could focus more on being a band rather than idols." He continued, "After the stage ended, looking at each other under the stage with the members, I felt 'If we naturally play together, communicate with N.Fia, and exchange glances, we are already a band and it's our stage. Why did I worry about how to be more like a band? We are already a band.' This stage left a strong impression on me with these thoughts."

Seunghyub added, "The PD came and said, 'You guys looked like a band for the first time,' 'You're a cool band.' Hweseung burst into tears."

N.Flying recently showed their full potential as a "trend-setting band" once again at university festivals after five years, including performances at Kyunggi University, Keimyung University, and Hanyang University. They garnered such a hot response that their name trended on SNS in real-time.

When asked about their impressions of university festivals, Seunghyub sighed and said, "It was challenging. We go on stage with the determination of 'Let's make sure these people can come to our next performance.' University festivals are not attended by many N.Fia, and there's a lack of familiarity, making it difficult to engage with the audience and get them to join in without prior information about us. It's quite different from regular festivals. We went into these festivals with that mindset. Recently, Hweseung sang 'Twenty-Five, Twenty-One' and received a lot of love."

Asked about appealing for next year's university festivals, Hweseung confidently expressed, "Next year, with five members, we can perform even better." Seunghyub added, "Next year, as a more developed N.Flying, we'll prepare a more enjoyable setlist and accumulate know-how to have fun. You should contact us."

◇ N.Flying's Everything = N.Fia: Gratitude and Apology

When it comes to N.Flying, one cannot leave out N.Fia. The love for N.Fia is so special that Seunghyub, when asked about them, wiped away his playful expression, showing a serious gaze. He once again expressed his affection, saying, "Every moment is so moving that it's hard to pick just one."

Hweseung mentioned, "As I consistently receive (emotional moments), I feel like I can't express enough. Recently, with more events, there are those who come closer, but there are also many who come from afar. Fans always come wherever we go. Even when we go abroad, Korean fans come, and when we have many domestic schedules, fans from overseas come." He continued, "So I want to repay them through performances, but due to the nature of concerts, we can only do two songs, and sometimes there are too many people, so we can't even greet them properly before we have to leave. Despite knowing this, fans still come. Therefore, I am deeply grateful, but also feel sorry in proportion to that. So, I burn with a desire for revenge to do better in the next performance."

Earlier, N.Flying faced a dizzying moment due to a sound accident at the Someday Festival. Despite the clearly bewildering situation, N.Flying showed flexible handling and fan service, allowing fans and audiences to communicate and complete a real festival experience with them. This led to a flood of praise for N.Flying. Soon after, they ascended the stage at the Bundang Park Concert, emitting tremendous energy and showcasing their live skills to complete an outstanding performance.

Reflecting on that time, Hweseung shared, "Actually, rather than resentment or confusion over such a sound accident, I felt that time was too precious. There are audiences who watch us, and even if they come from far away or nearby, I felt sorry for making them stand there quietly." He continued, "I wanted to use that time meaningfully and wanted to see their faces up close. That's why I did those actions (while circling the standing zone) and suddenly started dancing."

Seunghyub added, "The staff told us to go inside at that time. But I felt it was the worst time to go inside. I thought we should do something together, so I said, 'Please fix it quickly,' and stayed outside playing with the fans." He recalled, "Hweseung was shaking a water bottle and doing 'water flower play.' So I thought, 'Our Hweseung is really good at this.'" He explained the situation at that time.

Hweseung concluded, "It was more enjoyable than I expected. We received a lot of attention." Seunghyub said, "At that time, the audience treated us so well and gave us a lot of energy, so we finished well. And we set it on fire at the Park Concert." He continued, "The sound director who was at the Park Concert was also on our tour. He knew us very well, so it was a great environment to set on fire." He added, "So we didn't spare any effort and jumped more. Ironically, I felt more energized later." He concluded, "And then I lay in bed for a week," sharing the eventful behind-the-scenes of the performance.

◇ N.Flying: A Band Like Lifelong Friends, Aspiring to Be a Good Brand

"Good at performing," "good at singing" are words that naturally come their way, but especially when someone says "handsome," Hweseung has shown an immediate reaction, often causing laughter. He chuckled, saying, "That's a good one. Hahaha." He continued, "In the media, many people talk about it, but hearing such words directly isn't something common," and honestly confessed, "Everyone reacts positively when they hear those words. It feels good."

This led to N.Flying wondering what other epithets they'd like besides "trusted-listen band" or "youth band." Seunghyub expressed, "I hope people would exclaim, 'Have you heard of N.Flying?' and say, 'Wow!' That would be great." He added, "Being good at it and moving three-dimensionally on stage, going beyond just being a 'trusted-listen band,' would be wonderful."

Cha Hun said, "I'm not sure about the epithets, but I'd like us to be called a 'band like lifelong friends.' Doesn't everyone have friends they say, 'We'll be together forever'?" He explained, "Like a friend you can have by your side for a lifetime, I hope we can be a band where you can grow old together with our music and stage." To which Seunghyub jokingly added, "When we're about 50, I think Hun would be like, 'Hey, hey' to me."

Lastly, Hweseung stated ambitiously, "We want to become a brand. We want to consistently make good music for a long time." He declared, "During that time, as the years pass, we want to establish ourselves as a good brand and cultural presence that remains memorable."

[창간20년 인터뷰]② 엔플라잉, 실력으로 증명한 '믿듣밴드'…"좋은 브랜드 되고파"

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① N.Flying: “Back as a Complete Group for Our 10th Anniversary, and We’re Confident We’ll Soar Again”

N.Flying has led the way in 2024’s band wave, heating up the scene across all areas—from dramas and OSTs to music variety shows, festivals, and university events. With the return of members from military service, N.Flying will reunite as a complete group in February, saying, "We believe we’ll soar once again," as they hint at a promising future.

For its 20th anniversary, JoyNews24 sat down with N.Flying’s Lee Seunghyub, Cha Hun, and Yoo Hweseung at the FNC building for an interview. Despite their busy schedule, all three members answered every question sincerely and wholeheartedly with bright expressions and energy. Lee Seunghyub, in particular, seemed far more relaxed compared to the end-of-series interview for tvN’s Lovely Runner, likely because he was with his bandmates. The interview was filled with laughter thanks to the trio’s endless banter and playfulness, showcasing their ‘likable band’ charm with their kindness and thoughtful answers.

The five-member band N.Flying continued its activities with Lee Seunghyub and Yoo Hweseung filling in for the absence of the instrumentalist members, who were in the military, until September when guitarist Cha Hun completed his service. Their youngest member, bassist Seo Dongsung, was discharged on November 7, and drummer Kim Jaehyun is set to complete his service in February.

During the "military hiatus," Seunghyub and Hweseung had pledged to gather as many fans as possible for N.Fia, aiming to perform in even larger venues once the group was complete again. To honor this promise, Seunghyub and Hweseung have been continuously active, from dramas to festivals, without a break. Seunghyub received acclaim for his acting in the tvN dramas Lovely Runner and Love Next Door, while Hweseung has promoted the band through musicals, OSTs, and other musical ventures. Recently, they have earned the title of "stage masters" due to the constant flood of performance requests for popular festivals, local events, and university festivals.

Hweseung, reflecting on their current popularity, shared, "I’m truly feeling it. We put in a lot of thought and effort during the military hiatus, and the drama activities brought us some major attention. Now, with the calls for festival and music performances growing two- to threefold, I’m really experiencing it firsthand," he said. "That’s why I’m excited for the members’ return. Honestly, I’m even more ambitious and want to work harder so we can perform at even bigger venues. But even in this current situation, I feel a lot has changed, so I’m eager to experience it all with the members as soon as they’re back."

Cha Hun also shared how deeply he felt the band’s growth. He said, “Even while I was in the military, I could see that our vocalists were keeping their promises and that we were growing. Whenever I went out on leave or had time off, I never once went anywhere without hearing our music playing. Everywhere I went, our songs were playing,” he explained. “I could really feel how hard they were working, and as soon as I was discharged, we immediately started performing together at festivals and concerts. I try to remember every fan individually, and I noticed there were quite a few new faces. I realized that N.Fia has grown significantly, and now we have many more fans to meet and share our music with.”

◇ The Icon of "Re-Charting Success": Belief that “Good Music Eventually Connects”

During Lovely Runner, “Blue Moon” gained popularity, and more recently, the rock ballad “Firefly,” perfectly suited for fall, rose on the charts, earning N.Flying yet again the title of "re-charting icon."

Yoo Hweseung attributed their re-charting success to "the continuous efforts of Seunghyub hyung, who consistently produces and collaborates with us to create good music." He praised Seunghyub's exceptional songwriting and composing talents, which are the foundation of their success.

He continued, “Luck comes big to those who are prepared. Because we approach music sincerely and are well-prepared, more people have come to appreciate our music.”

Hweseung also expressed gratitude, saying, “Another thing to be thankful for is that other bands have been making great music, helping to revitalize band music for a larger audience. We’ve been influenced a lot by the music of other artists, and I think that our own music activity combined with others’ has led to a broader base of band music listeners. Because of that, more people discovered our songs, allowing us to re-chart, and this makes performing music so enjoyable."

Seunghyub then mentioned, “Hweseung has always said, ‘Good music is something people will eventually find.’ So, we often talked about leaving these kinds of songs as album tracks.” He also praised Hweseung’s voice, saying, “His vocals are just amazing—how could anyone not listen?” Hwiseung laughed, and Seunghyub added, “He’s unmatched.” Sitting between them, Cha Hun joked, “It’s a little awkward being stuck between these two,” making everyone laugh.

As Yoo Hweseung mentioned, Lee Seunghyub showcases his producer skills by writing and composing N.Flying’s songs. Their music, full of the members' shared desire to "provide comfort to the audience," often conveys hope and energy. Rather than urging listeners to "just be strong," their songs acknowledge personal struggles, fears, and insecurities, inviting listeners to move forward together despite these challenges. Messages like "You’re not alone; let’s face it together" provide profound comfort and encouragement.

Drawing on personal experiences to create highly relatable lyrics, Seunghyub said, “It feels like a time when, as N.Flying and as musicians, we need to adapt to reach a broader audience.” He explained that he now adds a touch of imagination to his experiences in his writing. “Nowadays, I’m starting to think that always viewing everything ideally when creating music might be a bit naive. Maybe I’ve matured, or I’m in the process of maturing—it feels like I’m at that point now.”

Seunghyub then shared that his MBTI changed from ENFP to ESTP around two years ago. Cha Hun responded by saying, “I think once all five of us are back together, Seunghyub hyung might return to being an ENFP. I believe he could be an ENFP before because he had faith that, no matter what, the members would manage things well. That’s why I feel that with each member going to the military, he shifted to ESTP. When Jaehyun returns and we’re stable as five again, he might return to ENFP.”

Lee Seunghyub agreed with Cha Hun’s comments, admitting, "That's somewhat accurate," and adding, “When it’s just Hweseung and me, our conversations are very calm, like, ‘The sound is like this today. How’s my vocal tone?’ But after Hun was discharged, it felt like I became a kid again. I realized that whether or not members are around has a significant effect on me.”

Indeed, since Cha Hun’s return, Seunghyub and Hweseung have shown even more energy and playfulness on stage. Seunghyub remarked, "Not just on stage, but in general, there’s a lot more playfulness now." Cha Hun chimed in, "While I was performing ‘4242’ on the guitar, they came over to both sides and pushed me down. I thought, ‘What’s going on here?’ Before joining the army, I was already a bit mischievous, but being less ‘socialized’ after military service makes it even more noticeable now." Seunghyub playfully teased, "You’re still not fully socialized," to which Hun, switching his tone, responded, "Is that so?"—making everyone burst into laughter.

Cha Hun had previously mentioned in a military video that he got used to eating three meals a day in the army. When asked if he still maintains that habit, he replied, “I thought it would stick, but I quickly reverted to my old ways. I used to eat just one or two meals, and even in the army, I divided my usual amount into three portions instead of truly eating full meals. So the absolute amount hasn’t really changed.” At this, Seunghyub jokingly sighed, “This is serious.”

Known for his love of food, Hoe-seung remarked, “Still, I think Hun’s eating habits have improved and become healthier.” Hun explained, “I used to look like I was barely eating, but now I can at least make it look like I’m enjoying a full meal—something I learned in the army.”

Hweseung added, “To eat well, you need to enjoy your food, but Hun only likes things like vegetables and konjac. He barely eats even a small portion of salad, which can be concerning. But lately, he’s been eating more balanced meals.” Hweseung also mentioned he hasn’t yet enacted his plan to “get back at” Hun for his military bugle wake-up calls. “Since I’m the morning wake-up master, just wait—I’ll do it when the time is right,” he said with a mischievous smile.

◇ Music Rooted in History: The Foundation of N.Flying

Released in 2019, Rooftop became a signature song for N.Flying, known for its comforting message to weary youth and its popularity at festivals where audiences sing along. This self-composed track by Lee Seunghyub experienced a resurgence in popularity, topping digital music charts and music shows. However, defining N.Flying’s music solely through Rooftop would be incomplete. From their long trainee years to indie activities in Japan, and ongoing musical growth post-debut, N.Flying has consistently taken on diverse challenges and evolved in their sound.

Naturally, curiosity arises regarding the track that the members consider the “root” of N.Flying. Without hesitation, Lee Seunghyub named their debut song, Awesome, explaining, “When I think of our roots, our debut track immediately comes to mind, regardless of whether Hoe-seung was part of the group then or not.” N.Flying debuted in 2015, with Yoo Hweseung joining as a new member in 2017.

Seunghyub elaborated, "My long trainee period still influences me, and I sometimes feel like my approach to rap doesn’t feel quite right anymore. I’ve grown to prefer focusing less on rapping, as I'm no longer sure if it's truly fitting for me. That’s how songs like Bloom and Flashback came about, with Hweseung’s voice now being central to our sound.” Yet, he added, “Still, if we’re talking about our roots, it would probably be one of our energetic tracks that our fans, N.fia, love jumping around to.”

Cha Hun said that if he considers the relationship between N.Flying and their fans, Stand By Me seems to embody their connection. Yoo Hweseung emphasized, “In a band, history matters a lot. Many other bands may feel similarly, but I think we have truly had a spectacular journey.” Reflecting on the difficult times, he explained, “Music from our most trying periods carries memories of resilience and comfort, and performing these songs often stirs up strong emotions.”

Hweseung continued, “Each song and album encapsulates moments—times of joy and struggles that nobody else knew about. Each of these experiences forms part of our roots.” Adding to this, Hweseung recalled, “When I saw Awesome during my military service, I was deeply moved,” which caught Seunghyub’s attention. However, Hweseung then playfully clarified, “I was just thinking, ‘Oh, my hyungs had already debuted,’” making Seunghyub laugh in realization.

◇ Celebrating a Decade and Anticipating the Next: N.Flying’s 10th Anniversary as a Complete Group

2025 marks not only the return of drummer Kim Jaehyun, bringing N.Flying back to a full lineup, but also the band’s 10th debut anniversary—a momentous year for both the members and their fans, N.fia.

Reflecting on the band’s journey, Cha Hun said, “Our group has been through all sorts of ups and downs, both good and bad. I know every group goes through this, but we’ve faced many challenges. As these ten years have passed, we’ve only grown closer and stronger as members, with no distance growing between us. This makes our 10th anniversary even more exciting, with the next ten years feeling even more promising.”

Looking back, Lee Seunghyub noted, “When Hweseung joined, it was like N.Flying started a second life—a true rebirth. It’s like we hatched from our shell and then hatched again.” Cha Hun added, “We started walking after we first hatched, and Hweseung gave us wings to fly.”

Lee Seunghyub continued, “Hweseung was really the one who solidified our unity back then. He’s the mastermind behind bringing us together,” which led to Hweseung’s laughter, and Cha Hun chimed in, “We should have noticed that back then!”

Seunghyub elaborated, “Though he was the youngest member at the time, Hweseung had a sense of direction for the group. His actions helped change us all, instilling responsibility in us, and it felt like we were reborn. Over the years, we’ve truly become one. The moments when we felt like one, with our strongest unity, were when our performances felt the most meaningful. We’ve managed to keep that sense of unity strong from then on.”

Hweseung then shared, “This moment feels like another turning point. Maybe it’s just confidence, but I truly believe that when we’re all together again, we’ll gain a new set of wings. We’re working hard, not only for that moment but also to make great music. Next year, I think we’ll step into a new phase we haven’t reached before, and I look forward to that.”

[창간20년 인터뷰]① 엔플라잉 "10주년에 다시 완전체, 날개 달릴거라 확신"

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NewJeans' Hanni Criticizes HYBE and CEO Bang Si-hyuk at Parliamentary Hearing

Hanni (20, Pham Hanni), a Vietnamese-Australian member of the group NewJeans, openly criticized HYBE and its chairman, Bang Sihyuk, regarding issues of workplace bullying and ostracism.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Hanni appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee (ELC) hearing in Yeouido, Seoul, and stated, "I heard a manager from one team in HYBE say, 'Ignore them.' I don’t understand why I had to go through this."

She added, "I know that if I don’t speak out, this will quietly be overlooked and buried. This is something that could happen to anyone. I’m here because I don’t want seniors, colleagues, and trainees to experience this."

Hanni further revealed, "From the early days of my debut, I encountered a high-ranking official at HYBE, but I never once received a greeting from them." She continued, "Living in Korea, I understood that you must greet older people properly."

Although Hanni didn’t specifically name the individual, it is presumed she was referring to Chairman Bang. Previously, rumors of a conflict between Min Heejin, the former CEO of ADOR and the chief producer of NewJeans, and Chairman Bang surfaced, leading to speculations that HYBE had treated NewJeans poorly.

Hanni also claimed, "Judging from the atmosphere within the company, recent events, and the fact that HYBE employees have been criticizing NewJeans on the Blind, I’ve become convinced that the company dislikes us."

When asked why she thought HYBE disliked them, Hanni explained, "It’s because we debuted through a different path. We didn’t follow the company's typical route, and because we’ve been successful, they’ve tried to put us down. That’s the reason I believe they dislike us."

When asked whether the conflict between Chairman Bang and former CEO Min affected the way NewJeans was treated within HYBE, Hanni emphasized, "It’s impossible for it not to have had an effect. There’s no need for this to happen, but since it’s happening, I can’t stay silent anymore."

Unlike other groups under HYBE, where Chairman Bang Si-hyuk is involved in producing, NewJeans debuted under the leadership of former ADOR CEO Min Heejin. Previously, conflicts between Chairman Bang and former CEO Min had surfaced.

"ADOR’s efforts to resolve harassment issues are insufficient," claims Hanni

Hanni also stated that she had asked Kim Juyoung, the CEO of ADOR (a HYBE subsidiary), to take action regarding workplace harassment but received insufficient feedback.

On the other hand, Kim Juyoung, who is also HYBE’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), responded by saying, "I believe in Hanni's claims. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure evidence," adding, "I believe I took all the measures I could, but seeing that Hanni has reached this point, I reflect on whether there was more I could have done."

However, Hanni directly criticized this response, saying, "I don't think (Kim Juyoung, ADOR’s CEO) did their best. There was certainly more that could have been done." She continued, "You said from the beginning that you would protect us, but if you want to protect us, you need to fight. However, there was no will to fight or take action, so I don't think you can say you did your best." She firmly added, "I know very well that if I say, 'I hope you try harder in the future,' this issue will be brushed aside. Please solve this issue quickly before talking about the future."

In response, CEO Kim said, "As Hanni mentioned, I will listen more closely to the voices of artists and strengthen communication. Since there are conflicting claims between the parties involved, it’s important to confirm the facts. I will cooperate faithfully with the ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to clarify the facts and will do my best."

“If people were respected as human beings, there would be no harassment.”

Towards the end, Hanni eventually broke into tears. She said, "Today’s session is about addressing workplace harassment and ostracism. While going through this ordeal, I thought a lot about how, although the law cannot solve every problem in the world, if people were respected as human beings, there would be no issues of workplace harassment or ostracism," as she teared up.

Expressing gratitude for the attention given to the issue, she added, "I hope seniors, peers, juniors, and trainees don’t have to worry about this." She also mentioned, "I’ve seen messages from people expressing concern for me, and I’m thankful."

While reflecting on why she had to experience such situations in Korea, she mentioned that many people apologized to her. However, she emphasized, "The members and staff, whom I now consider like a new family in Korea, don’t need to feel sorry."

Instead, she stated, "The people who should actually be apologizing, such as Chairman Bang and others, don’t realize this. If they had nothing to hide, they should come forward openly, but it’s frustrating that they avoid situations like this."

Hanni also shared that the Australian embassy had contacted her parents out of concern, and she expressed her gratitude, adding, "Lastly, if I have to come out again, I will study Korean more diligently and speak better next time." She noted that during the hearing, she struggled to understand some of the rapid Korean questions from the lawmakers.

The issue of whether celebrities are considered "employees" arises… HYBE's designation as a 'Top Job-Creating Company' in Korea is also questioned.

During the National Assembly audit involving Hanni, the main issue under the Labor Standards Act was whether the members of NewJeans qualify as "employees." In the past, the Ministry of Employment and Labor had determined that it is difficult to classify entertainers with exclusive contracts under the Labor Standards Act as employees.

However, the prohibition against workplace bullying in the Labor Standards Act only applies to workers who have employment contracts. This is why the prevailing view is that it's difficult to recognize the "worker status" of celebrities under exclusive contracts with their agencies. Kim Yoojin, the Director of Labor Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, also stated at the audit, "There is a reality where it is difficult to apply the current Labor Standards Act."

That said, there are voices calling for attention to the blind spots concerning idol labor rights. Generally, when idols sign contracts with their agencies right before debut, it is hard for them to be in an equal position. Furthermore, idols are usually subject to various restrictions from their agencies even during their trainee days.

Ahn Hoyoung, Chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee, emphasized, "This issue should not be viewed as merely a problem for a specific idol group or a gossip-related issue. It symbolically represents workers who are not protected by labor laws. The government and National Assembly need to come up with measures to eliminate this blind spot."

Rep. Park Jeong of the Democratic Party also criticized, "If we cannot raise an issue because the Labor Standards Act doesn't apply, this problem will only continue to repeat itself."

During the audit, the issue of HYBE being selected as one of the "Top Job-Creating Companies in Korea" this year was also raised. The Top Job-Creating Companies are 100 companies recognized for their efforts to create jobs and improve work conditions, including work-life balance. The selected companies receive various benefits, such as a presidential certificate, preferential credit evaluations, lower loan interest rates, priority in government procurement, and expedited immigration processing.

Lee Jeonghan, the Director of Employment Policy at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, explained, "HYBE was selected based on recommendations from the public. We evaluated various aspects beyond just a horizontal organizational culture, such as turnover rate and support for work-family balance. We also conducted on-site inspections and reputation checks with labor and management organizations. Since we found no issues during this process, the decision was made fairly by a committee of private experts." Regarding the possibility of revoking the certification, he added, "A complaint has been filed with our local office, and we will carefully review the results of the investigation."

Previously, during a NewJeans YouTube live broadcast last month, Hanni claimed that a manager from another HYBE group deliberately said "ignore her" loud enough for her to hear. The manager in question is responsible for the group "I-Land." The group's label, Belift Lab, has denied the accusation, citing CCTV footage and their investigation. Kim Juyoung, the CEO of ADOR, stated that the facts are still being verified due to conflicting opinions.

It is highly unusual for a current idol to appear at a National Assembly audit. Idols typically avoid sensitive issues, making Hanni's decision to speak out a notable example of assertiveness. When Hanni arrived at the National Assembly, the area buzzed with press activity. She also briefly addressed her fanbase, Bunnies, saying, "I know you all already understand without me having to say anything, so I don't need to explain further."

뉴진스 하니, 국감서 하이브 '작심 비판'·김주영 어도어 대표 '직격' (naver.com)

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Family By Choice actors Hwang Inyeop, Jung Chaeyeon, and Bae Hyunsung’s Marie Claire Korea October 2024 Issue photoshoot and interview

While they bickered throughout the shoot, the warmth they showed soon after made it clear that we don’t even need to ask about the chemistry between the three actors.

Bae Hyunsung: Earlier, during the last cut, noona (Jung Chaeyeon) was happily running ahead, and we followed her from behind. The drama set felt similar to that. Noona would lead the atmosphere, and we would just follow along, saying, “Yeah, let’s go.”

Jung Chaeyeon: I was like a ray of sunshine, hahaha.

Hwang Inyeop: When we were filming in Gyeongju during peak cherry blossom season, the blossoms fell quickly within a few days. I was lamenting how quickly spring passed, and Chaeyeon said, “Why are you sad? It's here right now,” with a laugh. She really was that kind of presence.

Jung Chaeyeon: I’m thankful that even when I made such bold comments, they were always well received. Maybe because the characters in the drama were affectionate, the set was really harmonious. (Everyone falls silent for a moment.) Wasn’t it?

Hwang Inyeop: Yes, it was. (laughs)

The word "harmonious" is typically used for families, but hearing it makes me realize it applies to colleagues as well.

Jung Chaeyeon: It really was like that. We clicked exceptionally well, so it felt comfortable.

This vibe seems to be reflected in the drama Family By Choice. From the preview, the relationships between the three characters seem warm and affectionate, like both family and friends.

Bae Hyunsung: Exactly. When I first read the script, it felt warm. Although each character has their own pain and sorrow, their efforts to overcome it also felt heartwarming.

Hwang Inyeop: While working on this project, I cried a lot and laughed a lot. All three characters are bright, but you can sense their sadness underneath. They live brightly, even though they carry sadness.

Bae Hyunsung: That’s how it is for everyone, right? Life can be tough, but when you're with someone you love, you're happy just being together, and you smile. But sometimes, when you look into each other’s eyes, you can feel sadness. We had a lot of scenes where we looked into each other’s eyes, and I often felt that emotion.

Jung Chaeyeon: I think I was drawn to this drama because of that warmth.

How did each of you interpret and explore your characters—Sanha (Hwang Inyeop), Juwon (Jung Chaeyeon), and Haejun (Bae Hyunsung)?

Jung Chaeyeon: Juwon is a person full of energy and brightness, though there are underlying reasons for that. I tried to bring out the most positive and bright side of myself. When something happens, Juwon doesn’t try to look at things from the side or the back but approaches them in a straightforward and simple way. That’s her style, and I tried to think that way as well.

Bae Hyunsung: Unlike Sanha and Juwon, Haejun is, in a way, a character who is completely alone. He receives a lot of love and support from his friends and family, but at the same time, he feels burdened by it. I once lived with my uncle’s family for a short time during my childhood, and I remember feeling a strange sense of pressure then. I tried to recall that feeling while thinking about Haejun. Essentially, it was a process of suppressing sorrow and amplifying brightness.

Hwang Inyeop: Every time I play a new character, I try to get as close to them as possible, but I wonder if it’s ever possible to completely understand them. It’s hard enough to fully know oneself, right? So, I always approach characters without the assumption that I know them entirely. But interestingly, with Sanha, at some point, it felt less like I was interpreting and expressing him and more like I was absorbing him. It wasn’t about thinking, “Sanha is somewhere out there,” but more like, “What I’m doing is Sanha.” Compared to Juwon and Haejun, Sanha is quieter and more relaxed, but there are moments when he suddenly bursts out. I tried to express that without second-guessing myself, and I think it came through well when I watched the monitor. (laughs)

It sounds like the moment you felt fully immersed in your characters and the story was quite valuable. In a way, that could be the purpose of exploring and acting out these roles.

Hwang Inyeop: The process of the three of us becoming “us” in the story was similar to that. All of us are pretty shy in real life, but in the drama, we’re portrayed as friends who have been extremely close since childhood. I was worried about how we could quickly build up that chemistry, but once we started filming, we just naturally became “us.” There’s a scene where Haejun is playing basketball, and Sanha and Juwon are cheering him on. While shooting that scene, I found myself genuinely rooting for him. That was the day I felt, “Now we’ve really become ‘us.’”

Now that filming is over, it seems none of you are ready to let go of your characters. What does Family By Choice mean to each of you?

Jung Chaeyeon: I’m not sure how the behind-the-scenes footage of the last filming day will turn out, but all three of us cried a lot. We cried so much that the director had to shoot other scenes first and save our trio’s scene for the last. It was especially hard to say goodbye to this project, so it will stay in my heart for a long time. When describing our drama, people use words like youth, romance, and warmth. For me, the few months of filming truly felt like my youth. I worked hard, I was passionate, I had fun, and I was really happy.

Bae Hyunsung: That’s right. Even after a long time has passed, I don’t think I’ll feel distant from it.

Hwang Inyeop: I’m glad that the sincerity came through. I always try to be sincere, but that’s not always easy. It’s not necessarily bad when it isn’t. Sometimes, sticking to each person’s goals and desires leads to better results. But when everything aligns and feels right, that’s the best, because it’s rare and precious.

Jung Chaeyeon: This is the first time we’ve met after a month and a half since filming wrapped up. Usually, there’s a bit of hesitation or distance in those situations. But today, we started joking around right away, and I realized, “We really have become friends.” I think we’ll stay in touch for a long time.

Hwang Inyeop: Maybe it’s because we worked together on this project, but in some ways, the three of us seem alike. None of us get angry easily, and we’re all quite bright… or am I not? (laughs)

Jung Chaeyeon: You’re not dark. We are similar.

Earlier, when you all burst into laughter at the same time, I thought your cheerful energy was alike. You’ve definitely become friends. (laughs)

Bae Hyunsung: In the drama, we play family and best friends, and I think we’ve become something like that, too.

Hwang Inyeop: We all have bright personalities at the core. Each of us has a different vibe, though. Hyunsung is gentle, Chaeyeon is lively, and I… I don’t know. (laughs)

Jung Chaeyeon: You’re warm.

Bae Hyunsung: You’re warm-hearted.

Hwang Inyeop: That’s a good choice of words. Yes, I’ll take that. (laughs)

우리가 여름을 지나온 시간 | 황인엽, 정채연, 배현성 배우 화보와 인터뷰 | 마리끌레르 코리아 – 마리끌레르 코리아 | MarieclaireKorea

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T-ara Eunjung Heraldpop Interview ③

T-ara was a groundbreaking group that debuted through MBC's Radio Star. Reflecting on that time, Ham Eunjung shared,

"There were only two pages of script, and even the broadcasting station was very against it. We couldn't even get our greetings synchronized. It was only when each member took turns doing talent shows that people started to get to know who we were. Our debut was really chaotic, but we were told, 'You need to be harshly criticized and debut under pressure, even from outsiders.' We felt that debuting under protection wouldn't have worked against the bigger idol groups from major agencies,"

Ham Eunjung also mentioned how she feels when she sees 2nd-generation idols making a comeback and the actors she worked with back then.

"When 2nd-gen idols make a comeback, I feel envious and think they look amazing. In 2012, during T-ara’s prime, I appeared on We Got Married on MBC and had a golden period. Meeting Baek Sunghyun and Lee Jangwoo again feels really nice. It’s like meeting old friends, and because we already know each other, there's no need to act superior. It's like a mutual recognition of each other."

Now 37 years old, Ham Eun-jung once dreamt of getting married at 40.

"Actors who were former idols seem to hit a reset after getting married post-40 and enter a new phase of middle age. I think it’s because I’m such a workaholic. Marriage is important, but so is my current life. I want to build and prepare over the next three years and get married after I turn 40. I do worry about how my image might change once I’m married. Even now, when I play the role of a mother or a married woman, people question why I’m doing it when I’m single or suggest that I play younger roles to extend my career. But I don’t think that way. I can play roles that match my age. If I play these roles more now, people might think, 'Wasn't she already married?' when I do get married, so there will be less pressure later."

"I like keeping my personal life separate from my public work. I want to keep working for as long as I can. My main concern is how marriage might affect my acting and change my image. But since so many people already assume I’m married, I feel like it won’t matter much if I marry late. Even if people say all the good men are taken, I’m fine with that. What matters more to me is my stance on my work—T-ara and acting are my priorities. Actually, my current dilemma is about how to furnish my home, now that I've recently moved out on my own,"

[팝인터뷰③]티아라 함은정 "완전체 컴백? 힘든 상태..마흔 넘어서 결혼할래요" - 헤럴드 POP (heraldpop.com)

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T-ara Eunjung Heraldpop Interview ②

Her appearance in daily dramas has diversified her fanbase.

"In the past, many of my fans were around my age and had grown up with me. But now, I’m recognized by a lot of viewers in their 50s and 60s. The way they express their love feels different—it’s almost like how a trot singer is adored. I sometimes think, 'Wow, they really like me this much?' These days, I feel a different kind of passion from this new fandom compared to when I was active with T-ara. There are also younger fans, teenagers, who recognize my songs after watching the drama with their moms and realizing the T-ara songs they used to sing are mine."

In 2021, Ham Eunjung won the Best Supporting Actress award at the KBS Drama Awards for her role in Be my Dream Famly. With Suji and Uri receiving high praise and surpassing 15% viewership, she’s now hoping for another award.

"I really want to win an award, especially the Best Couple Award. Typically, the Best Couple Award goes to actors from major, well-funded dramas that are popular that year. A daily drama couple has never won it,"

"At first, I wanted to win an award individually, but as the end of the drama approaches, those feelings have faded. Now, I really want to win the Best Couple Award with Baek Sunghyun. It would be such a meaningful award and would give a proper conclusion to our work. I want to show that if the chemistry between the male and female leads is great and the team atmosphere is positive, it’s possible to win an award. Baek Sunghyun and I even go to the same salon, so we see each other every day,"

Ham Eunjung, who debuted as an actress before her activities with T-ara, shared her thoughts on both careers:

"I always saw my singing career as an extension of my acting career. It just suits me well. Each song in our music career had its own concept, and the lyrics felt like lines from a script, so it was like acting. In fact, the reason T-ara was so beloved wasn’t just because we had amazing dance moves or vocals, but because our ability to express ourselves on stage was like something out of a theater program. I found joy in seeing it as an extension of acting and approached variety shows like I was filming short dramas. However, I’ve become more cautious with reality shows when I’m focusing on acting. Too many people associate my real-life persona with my characters, and I think it’s respectful to be seen as only the character when working on a project."

[팝인터뷰②]'수지 맞은 우리' 함은정 "일일극 후 팬 다양, 트로트 가수 된 기분" - 헤럴드 POP (heraldpop.com)

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T-ara Eunjung Heraldpop Interview ①

Since debuting, have there ever been times where you felt so mentally exhausted that you considered seeking therapy?

"When I look around at my friends, it seems like many of them have gone to therapy, but I never really felt the need. I sometimes wonder how I managed to get through tough times, but I think I would just sit at home like a philosopher, thinking, 'Oh, I see. That can happen. What’s next?' and then move on. Looking back, I guess my mental resilience is stronger than my friends'. Even the doctor I consulted told me I should come talk, and I do feel like going sometimes when I just want to chat casually. But I think I’ve found my own ways of coping and recovering. I’m someone who feels happiness in small things, so I stay in a relatively healthy mental state."

Suji and Uri exceeded 15% viewership, a rare achievement for a daily drama in recent years.

"I think viewers loved the comfortable and playful bickering between my co-star Baek Sunghyun and me. We just focused on acting without knowing much about the internal workings, but it felt good when the CP (Chief Producer) from the news department even treated us to a meal. The success of the drama seemed to have positively affected the news as well. It's truly a great feeling to be recognized. This is my third daily drama with KBS, and they've been very supportive. I'm just grateful for surpassing the 15% viewership mark."

Ham Eunjung reunited with Baek Sunghyun after 11 years, having last worked together on Queen Insoo. In that time, both have grown in their respective careers.

"In the time since, Baek Sunghyun got married and even has a child now. He’s really matured, and I can rely on him more; there’s a sense of dependability now. While I was busy with T-ara activities, Baek Sunghyun consistently worked as an actor, and I could see the seniority in him from that. The fact that we already knew each other made it easy to click right away."

"Because we’re close, we could argue comfortably. If we didn’t like each other’s acting, we’d say so. But that’s only possible because we trust each other. There was also this thought, 'If I make a mistake, you’ll cover for me.' Even if our performance changed from rehearsal, there were no hard feelings—he was a truly great partner. I even sang at his wedding, and there was a time when I appeared on a variety show as a guest without knowing who else was there, only to unexpectedly run into Baek Sunghyun. I kept thinking, 'What a strange fate we share.'"

[팝인터뷰①]'수지 맞은 우리' 함은정 "정신과 의사 役 막막, 멘탈은 센 편이죠" - 헤럴드 POP (heraldpop.com)

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T-ara Eunjung News1 Interview ②

You’ll soon hold a fan meeting in Macau to celebrate T-ara’s 15th anniversary. Was it hard to balance preparing for that and your drama?

T-ara's activities mostly involved just meeting for a photoshoot for a day. For the overseas interviews, I went when there were no drama shoots, so balancing both was fine. It was just a matter of switching roles without disrupting either side. Of course, at home, I felt busy on my own (laughs). After finishing the drama, I went to Japan yesterday (September 29th) to record some songs. I recorded two songs in one day. I’m grateful that I can continue my work as both a singer and an actress. Many people talk about not having any work these days, so I’m thankful to be able to do both, including T-ara activities.

How does it feel to reach your 15th anniversary?

The number 15 didn’t feel real at first, but seeing many of my fellow second-generation idols making comebacks for their 15th anniversary made me realize it’s a big deal. We’ve had work offers throughout the years, so it didn’t feel as significant to me. For me, the 10th anniversary was more meaningful. I had always wanted to do something special for that. This time, we’re holding a fan meeting that’s more like a fan event than a concert. It’s not just a music performance, so it’s lighter in tone, but I think it could be a good way for us to continue T-ara’s activities.

Do you have plans to continue T-ara's activities?

We’ve never talked about it in concrete terms. It’s always been a matter of coordinating schedules when they align. Since we don’t have a centralized management system, each of us is pursuing our own activities, so continuing T-ara depends on each member’s desire to keep going. I’m really grateful to the members for their continued commitment.

Is there anything you’d like to say to fans who are waiting for T-ara’s activities?

I know many fans are disappointed and wondering why we’re not holding an event in Korea when we’re doing one in Macau. If we get the chance, I’d love to do a concert in Korea. I think many people would come just to hear us sing. Since we’ve worked hard to keep going, I really want to make it happen. It would be great to receive many proposals (laughs). There’s talk about an Asian tour, but I also think a concert in Korea is important.

Do you have any goals as an actress?

I want to break free from the stereotype of being a "daily drama actress" or "lifestyle actor." Can’t it be viewed differently? Since I’m doing daily dramas while also being an active idol in T-ara, I’d like to show that daily dramas can have a fresh perspective, even for idols. For example, when I was cast in Be My Dream Family as a supporting role and a young mom, many people asked, "Why are you doing this?" But I thought it would be fun. If you’re an actor, shouldn’t it just be about acting well? Playing a lead in a big drama came because of T-ara, and while I could use my name value for roles when I’m not doing T-ara, what really matters is how I act when I’m in the lead role. I believed that I needed to build that credibility step by step, so I took on the role without hesitation. And look—I ended up winning a supporting actor award (laughs).

Given all your hard work, do you now feel more ambitious about winning an acting award for Suji and Uri?

I did (laughs). But strangely, after the show ended, that feeling disappeared. I just became more humble. The show achieved a viewership rating close to 16%, which was far beyond what I imagined. The real reward wasn’t an award but the immediate feedback from viewers—it was incredible. Of course, if they want to give me an award because of the high ratings, I’d humbly accept, but this time, I found the viewers' reactions truly fascinating. I also have my eyes on the Best Couple Award. If I won that for a daily drama, it’d be the first time, so I’m a bit ambitious about that too (laughs).

함은정 "티아라 15주년, 실감 안 나…韓공연 열고파" [N인터뷰]② - 뉴스1 (news1.kr)

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T-ara Eunjung News1 Interview ①

How do you feel about the conclusion of 'Suji and Uri,' which you were part of for such a long time?

It really feels like it passed in the blink of an eye. I was so busy over the past nine months that I barely remembered what day it was. I feel grateful and have no regrets about this project. Every day felt like a new challenge. I constantly thought about how to clear these challenges, so it still feels unreal that it’s over. I think it will sink in more as I return to everyday life.

Was there anything particularly different about this project compared to your previous ones?

Although it might be considered old-fashioned, this drama combined the 1, 2, and 3-camera system with the ENG system, allowing us to try various forms of acting. Ad-libs were not allowed on set, but there was more room for creativity in outdoor scenes. The lack of physical time is a natural feature of daily dramas, but the audience's expectations remain the same, making it challenging. We wanted to deliver quality despite time constraints, so we relied on our acting skills. Our props team was exceptionally prepared, setting up everything meticulously. Seeing their attention to detail made me think I should act with the same level of commitment. It made our drama stand out more.

What made you decide to take on the role in 'Suji and Uri'?

I was contacted and offered the role, initially unaware of the male lead. I had concerns about how continuously appearing in daily dramas might affect my image. I felt I needed to train myself in various directions, not just one. However, the script was so compelling that I wanted to keep reading it. The female lead was very attractive. When I heard that Baek Sunghyun was the male lead, I was thrilled. I also learned about the senior actors involved and thought, 'How did they gather such a stellar cast?' It was clear it would be a great drama. I wanted to show people that daily dramas could be different from what they typically expect.

How did you want to show that daily dramas could be different?

The issue of quality in daily dramas often arises due to the lack of time, leading to fatigue and rushed conditions. There isn’t much time to memorize scripts, but with a little more effort, daily dramas can be made more refined and rich. Our outdoor director guided us well, which was a great help. Even though following the script alone was challenging, they went as far as preparing the storyboard the day before and handed it to us on set. This allowed the staff to be ready faster, giving us actors time to discuss and even add ad-libs. The writer was also open to incorporating those changes, which led to new and fresh expressions in the drama. There is a unique system in our country’s daily dramas that allows us to combine stage-like set scenes with ENG (Electronic News Gathering) shots, creating a blend that doesn’t feel jarring. This distinctive feature of daily dramas made me want to become an actor recognized in this genre. I started to appreciate daily dramas as a wonderful genre.

How was it reuniting with Baek Sunghyun after about 12 years since 'Queen Insoo'?

Working with him felt like being with a T-ara member. During rehearsals, we didn’t even have to synchronize—he’d just say, "I’ll figure it out," and we’d proceed. With other actors, not rehearsing like that could lead to arguments. If you don’t know how someone will act, how can you respond? But Sunghyun was able to respond to what I did as he saw me acting, and that’s what true chemistry is. This allowed for a natural feeling to our scenes, and I was grateful for that. It’s challenging to express raw emotions in a daily drama, but Sunghyun brought out that naivety and authenticity.

'수지맞은 우리' 함은정 "일일극에서 이름 날리고파" [N인터뷰]① - 뉴스1 (news1.kr)

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241003 Red Velvet's Joy Birthday Party Pamphlet

One day, suddenly, the deepest part of my heart started speaking to me. Who am I? What am I doing right now? What is the reason I’m living for, what could it possibly be?

I couldn’t provide any answers. No matter where I went or what I did, the existence within me posed difficult questions to the real me, locking me in the darkness, tightening around me so that I could barely breathe. It seems like I’ve been playing this push-and-pull game with myself for quite some time, without anyone knowing. I was too busy avoiding and running from this confusion. I had so much work to do, I thought these deep thoughts were merely an overly emotional part of my nature that interfered with my tasks.

But in the end, it all exploded. The habit of finding only my flaws under the pretext of self-reflection eventually broke me. I could no longer control myself. I had always thought that whatever I lacked could be compensated for with mental strength, so I kept pushing myself hard, thinking that was the only way I could feel at ease. But suddenly, my body stopped listening. The more I pushed myself, the more my body collapsed as if mocking me, and the unexpected symptoms made me anxious, fearing I might collapse or lose breath at any moment.

That anxiety brought great despair and helplessness, along with deep depression from the realization that I couldn’t even take care of my own body. I hit a wall. I felt like I could no longer hide my weakest, most pitiful self, and I was terrified of stepping into the world. At that time, I became like a lost child in an unfamiliar place, endlessly waiting for someone to protect me. And so, I retreated deep into what I considered the safest place—my room. As I closed the blackout curtains in the room, I also closed the curtains of my heart to avoid being hurt, constantly pondering my reason for existence in the darkness I created.

I recall my younger self. I loved imagining and dreaming. But I was often misunderstood because I was quiet and expressionless, so people misread my intentions, and there were times when I couldn’t answer because I was lost in thought. I was even scolded for being a mystery, as if no one could figure out what was going on in my head. The world seemed to prefer a brave child who could live in the present reality over a child who dreamed of ideals, especially when I, the eldest daughter, had many responsibilities and tasks to complete each day. Growing up, I became cautious, fearing I’d be labeled strange if I rambled on about things only I could understand.

Maybe that’s why. Gradually, it became more comfortable to be alone, writing, singing, and fantasizing about things. Being around people sometimes felt uncomfortable. I didn’t think anyone could understand me. I was busy hiding my true self to maintain the image I had built or, perhaps, because I didn’t want to disappoint the adults around me by breaking that image. Even so, like the lyrics of The Little Mermaid's song, I realized that humans are lonely creatures when alone, so despite my clumsiness, I wanted to be with people somehow. I was so afraid of being excluded. I worried about how I could fit in without standing out too much and live an ordinary life among others. But on the other hand, I feared that if I showed people my true self, they would leave me. Because of that fear, I couldn’t fully open my heart, and I spent a lot of time suffering alone behind the walls I built for myself.

In that way, I ignored my suppressed self while only my outer shell grew, becoming an adult who was overly conscious of others. I didn’t know my own standards, preferences, or opinions. Because the real me hadn’t grown, I accepted other people's opinions and standards as correct. I was always busy adjusting myself to fit into those ambiguous standards. That was me. But unlike me, The Little Mermaid accepts her thoughts and feelings as they are, longing for a new world. She breaks free of her shell and courageously pursues her dreams despite the pain.

Before preparing for this birthday party, I only knew The Little Mermaid’s ending as either Disney’s happy ending—"And they lived happily ever after"—or the sad ending—"In the end, she turned into sea foam." But Hans Christian Andersen’s original The Little Mermaid was different. In Andersen's original, the mermaid’s sisters advise her to stab the prince's heart while he sleeps so she can become a mermaid again. But she couldn’t bring herself to harm the prince she loved and, instead, wished for his happiness and chose to throw herself into the sea, turning into foam. However, the heavens were moved by her beautiful sacrifice and good deeds, so rather than disappearing into sea foam, she became a spirit of the air and ascended to heaven with the angels.

In Andersen's original, mermaids live for 300 years but lack a soul, so after 300 years, they simply vanish. However, because The Little Mermaid sincerely blessed the prince and princess and overcame both the physical pain of becoming human and the emotional pain of letting go of the person she loved, she sought goodness and was granted eternal life as a spirit of the air. It’s said that Andersen wrote this story while feeling the deep pain of unrequited love, as the person he had long loved was marrying someone else. The idea of truly blessing the happiness of the one you love, offering your love selflessly without expecting anything in return—that profound message deepened my affection for the story of The Little Mermaid.

This is also why I chose "The Reason for Existence" as the theme for the birthday party. To the Lovies who always shout, "Soo-young! When you smile, I feel happy too!"—I have felt a deep, mature love from them. Even when I was briefly walking through the dark tunnel that everyone goes through at least once, they waited for me, worrying about me first and cheering me on. I wanted to express my sincere gratitude and true feelings to them. Unlike my younger self, who often stumbled, I now want to share the story of the original The Little Mermaid, who fully accepted her inner self, continued to grow, and eventually broke free from the predefined mold to discover her true self.

I remember standing in front of the fans after much recovery. I was scared. I wanted to show nothing but a completely happy smile, but I was afraid I might not be able to do so. However, I vividly remember the warm embrace of the Lovies, who greeted me with kind smiles, as if they knew all of my struggles without me having to say a word. Perhaps the tall figure I desperately wished for, the one who would be there for me in my subconscious, is actually the Lovies standing right in front of me. My limitations were never overcome alone. So many warm hearts have been worrying about me, comforting me, and praying for me. I couldn’t be happier because of that. I’m so grateful for this time when I’m no longer alone.

Now, I make a promise. Everyone will go through a long, dark tunnel in life at least once. In those moments, I will not turn away from you. I will be the bright light and joy that helps you safely find your way out. Because of that dark time and because you were there protecting me, I am now the happiest when I stand on stage. When I feel the warm hearts cheering for me from the audience, I fully understand why I need to keep living, why I need to keep performing on stage—the reason for my existence resonates throughout my body. Because of you, I will continue to live strongly. I will remember the kindness you’ve given me for a long time. Even if the world ends, I hope kindness lasts forever. I believe that a delicate and kind heart can comfort not just one person but the entire world.

Like me, who mustered up the courage to send out this letter, I sincerely hope this resonates and brings comfort to those who are pondering their own reason for existence. To the Lovies who helped me find the direction of my life and the reason for my being, I send my endless gratitude and love.

맑음쨩 💚 on X: "241003 조이 생일파티 둥파 팜플렛 어느 날 문득, 내 마음 깊은 곳의 내가 나에게 말을 걸어왔다. 나는 누구일까? 지금 뭘 하고 있는 걸까? 내가 살고 있는 이유, 그게 도대체 뭘까? 아무런 답도 할 수 없었다. 어디를 가도 무엇을 해도 내 안의 존재는 실제의 나에게 어려운 질문을 던지고, 어둠 https://t.co/tozRN55PMe" / X

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[Full Interview] BANG JUNG YOO MOON - Singles Korea October 2024 Issue

The concept for this photoshoot began with the keyword ‘departure.’ It all started with a comment from Youngjae on a post uploaded by an editor who cares for the four of them on the Singles Instagram.

Youngjae: “I felt that the post was written by someone who knows us well. Just looking at the post, you could see the affection. So, I left a comment half out of gratitude and half as a joke, but I wrote it hoping they would invite us (laughs).”

Daehyun: “In fact, we had thought during this activity period that we would like to do a photoshoot at least once. It would become a memory for both us and our fans. However, due to various circumstances, it was difficult to proceed. So, I feel that this photoshoot with Singles was a destined opportunity.”

How are you spending your time these days?

Daehyun: “I’m enjoying our activities (laughs). Recently, I stayed in Japan for about 10 days, meeting fans, and I just returned to Korea. So, I’m resting and preparing for concerts again.”

Jongup: “I’ve now started preparing my solo album, which I had put off for a while. According to my plans, it should have already been released, but group activities took priority.”

Yongguk: “I’m happy to be working with the members after such a long time, and I worked hard. After finishing the photoshoot, we have a fan signing event scheduled.”

Youngjae: “Recently, I’ve been preparing for the musical '부치하난,' and by the time this photoshoot comes out, the drama 'Our Beautiful Summer' is expected to be aired.”

Since this is your first activity together in a while, there are likely many fans who have become successful and are showing up in front of the four of you, just like the editor from Singles who previously made a video. Do you have any memorable episodes?

Yongguk: “In the past, many fans introduced themselves as students, but now there are fans who have become proper business owners. I remember when they used to gift us red ginseng jelly as kids, and now they come back proudly bringing us red ginseng as working adults.”

Daehyun: “Although I’m not a 성덕, while doing this music broadcast, I met staff members who used to work with us back then. They were at entry-level positions at that time, but now they’ve moved up in their careers. Because of that, I felt that they put a lot of effort into preparing our stage, which allowed us to successfully complete this music broadcast.”

Youngjae: “Whenever I go to acting jobs, there’s always at least one person I recognize (laughs). There are also people on set who greet us, saying they liked us, and some of the team members I worked with bought tickets to come to our performance. I’m so grateful every time I receive such greetings.”

Jong-up: “I heard that Lee Chaeyeon was also a fan of ours. She came to our concert and supported us enthusiastically at the venue, which surprised me and made me grateful. It’s fascinating and feels different to see someone who liked us become a singer and actively be loved while engaging in their own activities. The fact that the time we spent working became a dream for someone is quite special.”

It’s been seven years since you’ve worked together. Do you remember the day you decided to gather again and reach that starting line? I heard Jongup brought it up first.

Jongup: “Even when we weren’t actively working together, we would often meet, and that topic would come up every time. It wasn’t a decision made in a single moment. However, when it came time to execute specific plans, I first asked Youngjae. The reason was that Youngjae had to prepare for activities right after his military discharge. He might have had his own plans after coming back, so his willingness was the most important (laughs). I seized the opportunity during his leave to ask him. Fortunately, he immediately agreed and said he could jump right in, so I discussed it with the other members. Everyone seemed to share the same feelings, making the process smooth.”

How does Youngjae remember that day?

Youngjae: “Jongup had been expressing his desire to regroup, release an album, and start activities for a long time. We all had the mindset of wanting to do it, but Jongup was always strongly saying, ‘I really hope we can release an album.’ Those discussions continued until Jongup came forward with a specific plan for the album. He said that if the older members were on board, he would talk more about it. We all agreed, and we really ended up gathering to release an album (laughs).”

If this album had been released seven years ago, what kind of album would it have been?

Yongguk: “If it had been released back then, it would have been too sad. Instead, now that the Curtain Call album is out, I feel like we can alleviate some of that sadness. It’s an album that reminisces about that time and fills it with happy memories.”

When you think back to your previous activities, what stands out the most?

Yongguk: “When we had meetings about album concepts, we used to just throw ideas around (laughs). But it was surprising that the company approved those concepts. There were moments when I thought to myself, ‘Why did they allow this?’ The albums like 'BADMAN' and 'ONE SHOT' had that feeling—it was quite intriguing.”

Youngjae: “At that time, we were really immersed in that, and we thought that to survive in this tough environment, we had to show different sides of ourselves. We didn’t need to be the same as everyone else. That’s why we went more extreme.”

Yongguk: “Looking back now, it really was extreme (laughs).”

Jongup: “Except for the choreography of 'BADMAN,' it was all fine… (laughs).”

Youngjae: “At that time, it felt like we were ahead of our time, but we were very satisfied. However, the fans didn’t seem to like it.”

Daehyun: “I think it was because we kept coming out with dark makeup on our faces (laughs).”

Now you’re active with fifth-generation idols. A lot has changed compared to that time. Was there anything that surprised you during your recent activities?

Youngjae: “I wanted to try a photo frame with phototism, and we managed to do it (laughs). I was really looking forward to it, but the shoot ended more quickly than I expected, which was a bit disappointing. I plan to definitely take a picture with it before the period ends as a keepsake.”

Jongup: “You might not know this, but (laughs) I’ve been steadily active and have experienced all of this. Even so, it’s fascinating to see what the older members are doing.”

If there’s something you’d like to do with your fans in the future, could you give us a little spoiler?

Daehyun: “Unfortunately, aside from the already scheduled events, nothing has been confirmed yet. However, everyone is expressing a desire for an encore performance, so it seems to be heading in that direction.”

Youngjae: “What I really want to do with the fans is perform. As fans might know (laughs), when we have concerts, our comments are really short, and we fill the entire time with songs from start to finish. We did manage to perform quite a few songs this time, but I still feel thirsty for more. So, I want to add even more songs to our next performance and run around with the fans.”

Jongup: “I also want to perform, but I think it would be special if we could perform at the place where we debuted, like at the Jangchung Gymnasium where our debut showcase was held. Whenever I recall that time, it feels vivid. So, I want to face the fans there at least once. It’s the place of our first meeting, after all.”

Yongguk: “I do volunteer work at the end of every year, and I think it would be a great support if the fans could join us (laughs). It would be nice if all the members could participate together. I’ve had a few good memories doing that with fans before.”

Finally, now that you’ve reached a new starting line, is there anything you’d like to convey to your fans?

Youngjae: “I hope this photoshoot becomes a good gift for the fans, just as it was a special time for us. I want to express my gratitude once again for this activity, which I keep mentioning. We will work hard to repay the love we’ve received, so I hope you won’t forget us and continue to send us warm love (laughs). I also want to say that we will truly visit you with smiling faces, so I hope you won’t feel too sad.”

Yongguk: “I’m really enjoying working with the members lately, and I’m grateful to the fans, but I’m even more thankful to the younger members. In fact, each of us has a lot to do individually, and it’s been a hectic situation. Youngjae had his drama and musical, and Jongup and Daehyun had to prepare their solo albums. Still, I want to express my gratitude to the members who have been together through it all, and I hope all the activities the members are doing go well, and I’ll always support them (laughs).”

Daehyun: “I think that by releasing this album with the members, we’ve found a new direction and path. It has helped me regain the things I had lost and rekindled my love for music. In a way, it’s ultimately thanks to the fans. Now that we’re back, I see it as a fresh start, so I want to share good music with you for a long time.”

Jongup: “After seven years, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the fans during the time we weren’t together. I’m sure some may have felt anxious that we might not reunite. However, now that we’re showing our activities together, I feel that a deeper trust has developed between us and the fans. Even if it’s not visible, there’s a belief that we can still be together. We were fortunate that many fans attended our recent performance, which strengthened our trust in them. Going forward, I hope you wait with excitement rather than anxiety. We will always be here, so I hope you continue to enjoy our music with a good heart. Lastly, I hope you’ll support my solo album as well (laughs).”

방용국, 정대현, 유영재, 문종업의 새로운 출발선 (singleskorea.com)

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Omega X's management denied all allegations of forced sexual assault against member Hwichan, which were raised on the 19th. [FULL STATEMENT]

On the 20th, Omega X's management released an official statement stating that the CCTV footage of the drinking gathering was organized under pressure from senior executives within the agency, as usual.

On the 19th, Omega X's former agency, Spire Entertainment (hereinafter referred to as Spire), held a press conference and released CCTV footage, alleging that Kang, the former CEO, was comforting Omega X member Hwichan, who had been issued a military enlistment warrant, when the forced sexual assault occurred.

Omega X's side claimed that Hwichan's military enlistment warrant was issued on August 1st. They stated that the drinking gathering, which started on the evening of July 10th, was not held to console the members but was forced to comfort Kang, the CEO, who was upset because they didn't understand the effort he put into promoting album sales after the release."

Furthermore, Omega X's side claimed that there was no forced sexual assault during the drinking gathering on July 11th last year, as shown in the CCTV footage. They argued that the physical contact between the two individuals seen in the CCTV footage was a result of Hwichan feeling compelled to comply with Kang's demands for physical intimacy due to Kang's intimidating verbal threats and violence.

Omega X's side stated that both Kang and Hwang, during the contract period, repeatedly forced members to attend drinking gatherings and exhibited gaslighting and coercive behavior for years. They expressed fear of retaliation, such as exclusion from album activities, if they tried to avoid Kang's excessive physical intimacy.

They further stated, 'The video footage released by Spire does not properly reflect the overall context of the incident. We demand the release of the entire CCTV footage from the day of the incident and urge for further investigation to uncover the truth.' They announced their intention to counter-sue Spire for defamation regarding the forced sexual assault allegations against Hwichan.

▲Below is the official statement from Omega X's management agency, IPQ.

Hello, this is IPQ.

We deeply regret the press conference held by Sphere Entertainment on March 19, 2024. Through this press conference, we would like to clarify our official position regarding the dishonorable allegations made against our affiliated artist OMEGA X and member Hwichan.

1. The drinking gathering where the CCTV footage was released was not intended to alleviate the concerns of the members who had been issued military enlistment warrants. Rather, it was a gathering organized by the senior executives within the agency, as usual, under pressure from them.

According to Spire Entertainment's claims, on July 11, 2022, member Hwichan attended a drinking gathering and requested a separate meeting with former CEO Kang Sung-hee to confide her concerns about military enlistment. However, contrary to these claims, in reality, Hwichan's military enlistment warrant was issued on August 1, 2022, and he was notified of his enlistment in mid-September. On the day of the drinking gathering, the military enlistment warrant had not even been issued. This disproves the claim that he attended the gathering to alleviate concerns related to his military enlistment, as the warrant had not been issued at that time.

Documents released by Omega X regarding member Hwichan's enlistment

Documents regarding Omega X member Hwichan's enlistment released by Omega X's side

The drinking gathering, which started on the evening of July 10th, was not held to console the members but was forced to comfort Kang Sung-hee, the former CEO, who was upset because they didn't understand the effort she put into promoting album sales after the release. Furthermore, it can be confirmed through the attached evidence that Hwang Sung-woo, the CEO, showed attitudes such as waking up the members sleeping in the dormitory to drink until the early hours of July 11th. This indicates that it was not simply a gathering to listen to the members' concerns.

Messages released by Omega X's side

Member 1 Sebinhyung is sleeping

Member 2 ok

Member 3 CEO Kang no no

Member 2 We're on the side of GS Shop.

Member 1 CEO Kang is in a conversation with Hwichan hyung.

Member 4 CEO Kang is talking with Hwichan hyung at the company.

Member 1 Oh my, haha

Member 5 Did the chairman wake everyone up and have them drink?

Member 1 I'm going to do my thing, I'm leaving. Today

2. We inform you of the frequent demands for drinking gatherings by senior executives, as well as continuous verbal abuse, physical violence towards members, gaslighting, demands for physical intimacy and expressions of affection, and oppressive attitudes.

As mentioned above, during the contract period, former CEO Kang Sung-hee and CEO Hwang Sung-woo repeatedly forced members to attend drinking gatherings. Moreover, due to years of sustained gaslighting and oppressive attitudes, members were under severe mental stress. They were also filled with fear of retaliation, as former CEO Kang Sung-hee often demanded excessive expressions of affection and physical intimacy, and if members refused or did not adopt a compliant attitude, they faced exclusion from album activities or restrictions on styling and activities.

CEO Kang Tried calling Zen, Hwichan and Hangyeom. Since there was no answer last time, I tried calling again. /photo/ How stupid are you guys… Abandon all of you and revive the company with just BC. Please make sure to check on Song Hangyeom's thoughts. Look at this. ᄒᄒ Is this the extent of your desperate efforts? Hypocritical people. ᄒᄒ Look at this You guys have no willpower. Look at this If you guys have willpower, We have started receiving direct messages from global media outlets as well. I am. Anyway, it's my money, my express. If it fails, so be it. The attitude you guys showed me today. Haha. If I really wanted. Is it right to work for these people? Jaechan The members should trust the company. As for me… I've been working like that… Us… why did it have to turn out like this? I told the chairman. We've decided to disband the team. Did Kim Jaehan tell the chairman? You don't want to receive calls or contacts from the CEO? Of course… such hypocrisy.

Kang Sung-hee You're out because you didn't write ' I love you'!!!

Reply I love you CEO-nim

I will provide accurate information about the situation that occurred on July 11th within this atmosphere.

On July 11th, when the CCTV footage was released, despite the late hour being past 2 a.m., CEO Hwang Sung-woo insisted on continuing coercive drinking at the lodging, even with members who were resting or asleep. He also intended to continue the drinking session forcefully at the lodging. When member Hwichan, who was about to return with them, wanted to leave, former CEO Kang Sung-hee detained him, claiming he had something to discuss first. While Spire Entertainment explained this as a gathering to listen to Hwichan's concerns about his military enlistment, it doesn't make sense that Hwichan, who hadn't even received his enlistment notice, would express concerns about his military enlistment right before his enlistment. Furthermore, according to testimonies from members present at the gathering and the former manager in charge, it was former CEO Kang Sung-hee who demanded a one-on-one conversation with Hwichan.

After other members and staff left the gathering, former CEO Kang Sung-hee demanded excessive expressions of affection and physical intimacy from Hwichan, as usual. With no one else present to witness, Hwichan feared threats, verbal abuse, and physical violence if he didn't comply, so he felt compelled to obey the instructions. While Spire Entertainment described this as 'forced molestation', there is no evidence in the publicly released CCTV footage to suggest that Hwichan's actions were coercive or that he expressed refusal. Through this, it can be understood that former CEO Kang Sung-hee, who had previously forcefully demanded expressions of affection and physical intimacy, had specific demands and that there was no evidence of refusal or coercion because he directly requested them. After being coerced into multiple instances of physical intimacy, Hwichan fell asleep while intoxicated. Former CEO Kang Sung-hee even took a picture of Hwichan asleep and sent it to the former manager, and later insisted on taking Hwichan himself despite the manager's objections, which doesn't align with the situation of claiming he was being 'forcibly molested.'

However, even after Hwichan fell asleep, former CEO Kang Sung-hee continued to yell at him to wake up and persisted in demanding expressions of affection or physical intimacy, displaying a coercive attitude. As a result, overwhelmed by prolonged gaslighting, fear, and pressure, as well as the guilt of having to engage in excessive physical intimacy with a company executive of a similar age to his parents, Hwichan fled to the first floor of the company building. During this process, Hwichan fell heavily down the stairs, sustaining injuries that left him unable to get up. Underneath the stairs, Hwichan, immobilized, was approached by former CEO Kang Sung-hee, who stepped on his head and performed bizarre actions, such as dancing in front of him. Hwichan, overwhelmed with fear in this situation, exerted all his strength to hide in the first-floor restroom. However, former CEO Kang Sung-hee continued to pursue him, yelling and causing further mental and physical stress.

3. Starting from July 11, 2022, after the incident, it is a clear falsehood to claim that members began to lose trust in the agency and resorted to wiretapping and illegal filming to create an excuse.

Former CEO Kang Sung-hee and CEO Hwang Sung-woo's verbal abuse, physical violence, coercive attitudes, demands for expressions of affection, and other mistreatment towards the OMEGA X members, as previously revealed through numerous photos and videos, were not staged but rather a prolonged form of 'bullying.' Our company has possessed various pieces of evidence, including conversations between members and former CEO Kang Sung-hee and CEO Hwang Sung-woo, prior to July 11, 2022. We plan to release additional evidence that has not been disclosed before. We ask for your understanding that the attempts of eleven young individuals who strove to not give up their dreams despite facing prolonged mistreatment such as verbal abuse and physical violence should not be simply dismissed as an excuse to leave the agency. Treating their efforts to expose these issues as mere pretext to leave the agency is a cruel form of further victimization.

4. In October 2022, we would like to inform you about the prosecution's decision to indict regarding the incident of member Jaehan being assaulted at a hotel in LA.

On March 19th, through the official IPQ social media channels, we provided information regarding the indictment notification related to the assault incident involving Jaehan by former CEO Kang Sung-hee at a hotel in LA in October 2022. This incident was determined to require referral to the prosecution after investigation by the police, and it was unequivocally processed as 'indictment.' Additionally, we have been requested to provide further documentation for a more accurate judgment. We want to clarify that this does not mean the indictment has been revoked. We confirm that the indictment for the assault incident involving former CEO Kang Sung-hee remains valid.

5. Lastly, we urge Spire Entertainment to provide additional evidence for the sake of truth.

Merely relying on the publicly released CCTV footage is not sufficient to justify Spire Entertainment's claims. Failing to rectify these claims when they cannot be fully substantiated is a profoundly detrimental act, especially for celebrities continuing their professional activities under the scrutiny of countless viewers. We request that all CCTV footage from the day of the incident and the following day be released without editing. Additionally, we ask for the release of any additional evidence, such as footage from the second-floor conference room and corridors, as well as footage covering the entire first floor, to understand the full context of the incident. If the publicly released CCTV footage has been forensically recovered, we understand that other CCTV cameras installed in the office at the time could also be recovered and verified. We plan to request these additional footage as evidence from the investigative authorities.

We strongly criticize and deeply regret Spire Entertainment's unilateral dissemination of selectively edited CCTV footage and their one-sided claims. The provided footage fails to accurately reflect the overall context of the incident and is being unfairly used to unjustly vilify member Hwichan as a perpetrator of forced molestation. We once again demand the release of the full CCTV footage from the day of the incident that has not been made public and urge for further investigation to uncover the truth. We will proceed with legal action against the wrongful accusations of forced molestation made against Hwichan as announced by Spire Entertainment.

We express deep concern over the unfair situation faced by OMEGA X and assure our commitment to utilizing all legal means to protect the rights and honor of all affiliated artists, including member Hwichan. We request the active cooperation of all parties involved to ensure a fair and accurate investigation that will uncover the truth.

We hope that the injustice suffered by the members, who had no choice but to succumb to the abnormal behavior within Spire Entertainment for the past two years due to their unwavering commitment to their dreams, will be resolved as soon as possible. We firmly believe that the truth will ultimately be revealed.

Lastly, we express our gratitude to everyone, including our fans, who have continued to show unwavering love and support amidst the prolonged and challenging legal proceedings, lawsuits, and the dissemination of false information. We pledge to always strive to maintain transparency and honesty, ensuring that we do not lose the trust of all individuals, including our affiliated artists and fans.

Thank you

Source: 오메가엑스 측 '휘찬 강제 추행 없어… 전체 CCTV 공개하라' [전문] | 서울경제 (sedaily.com)