Seoul’s Suseo Police are concluding their investigation into Cha In-Ha’s death.
The 27-year-old rookie actor and Surprise U member was found dead in his home on December 3, 2019. His manager found Cha unresponsive. Fantagio confirmed the star’s passing in a statement.
On December 4, police stated an autopsy will not be performed on the late actor as requested by his family.
“We do not have any specific details to share regarding Cha In-Ha’s passing,” a police representative said. “We will not be performing an autopsy, per his family’s wishes. No will or final message was discovered at his home. We do not have any information to give regarding his cause of death.”
Fantagio reiterated that they hope fans will not speculate on Cha’s cause of death. They also hope Netizens will refrain from posting their speculations online as an act of respect for family and friends mourning his loss.
Cha, whose real name is Lee Jae-Ho, will be laid to rest in a private funeral as per his family’s wishes.
—-Olivia Murray
Following the news of Cha In-Ha’s (Lee Jae-Ho) passing, Fantagio released a statement confirming the actor and Surprise U member’s passing.
Hello,
This is Fantagio.
We feel devastated to deliver such heartbreaking and unfortunate news.
On December 3, actor Cha In-Ha left our sides.
We are truly heartbroken to deliver sad news to everyone who has sent lots of love and support to Cha In-Ha until now.
We are filled with grief at this news that is still hard to believe.
We earnestly ask for rumors to not be spread and for speculative reports to not be released in order for his family, who is experiencing greater sadness more than anyone due to the sudden sad news, to send him away peacefully.
As wished by his family, the funeral will be held privately.
We express deep mourning for his passing.
Police confirmed Cha, 27, passed away in his home. He was found unresponsive by his manager. Other details surrounding his death are still being investigated, although police stated a note or will were not found in the home.
Fantagio and the police have asked people to not speculate into the cause of death and to let police finish their investigation.
“We earnestly ask for rumors not to be spread, and for speculative reports not to be released in order for his family – who are experiencing great sadness due to the sudden news – to be able to send him away peacefully,” a spokesperson said.
As Fantagio pointed out in their statement, Cha’s family will hold a private funeral for the star.
Following the news of his death, his fans shared videos of his last interviews, including his “Ask in a Box” appearance.
May Cha rest in peace. We send our condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers.
—-Olivia Murray
On December 3, 2019, rookie actor Cha In Ha, who is also a member of the actor-idol group Surprise U, was found dead. His label, Fantagio, confirmed the police reports via a brief statement, but they did not offer much insight.
“We were notified and are currently checking on the matter,” the company stated.
Details surrounding the 27-year-old’s death have not been revealed yet, so cause of death, location, and time of death are currently unknown pending an investigation.
Cha was active in the current MBC drama Love with Flaws.
“We are trying to get an understanding of the situation right now” the show’s production team stated.
Cha debuted in 2017 with Surprise U when he appeared in the short film You, Deep Inside Me. He also performed in the group’s single “I Do.”
Since debuting, he’s held supporting roles in Temperature of Love, Are You Human, Too, Idol Fever, Wok of Love, Clean with Passion for Now, and The Banker.
Cha’s passing is the latest death in a shocking, controversial, and tragic year in the Korean entertainment industry. May he rest in peace.
Stay tuned for updates.
—-Olivia Murray
On November 8, 2019, former 2NE1 member and leader CL departed YG Entertainment following the end of her exclusive contract with the company. Many praised the move as CL has been kept in the basement for too long with only sporadic rumblings here and there on the American music scene.
However, CL will now be making her Korean comeback December 4, 2019 with her six-song project album In the Name of Love! According to Yonhap, two songs will be released from the album each week until the third week of December.
In the Name of Love will be her first release since 2015’s “Hello Bi+ches” and “Lifted.”
CL, who has not signed with another agency as of yet, decided to release the project album as an independent artist. In a message left on Instagram, CL acknowledges her decision to do so.
I started running before I even started walking. Without ever learning how to walk, how to rest, I accomplished a lot over the past 13 years, went through a lot of emotions, and learned a lot.
I was happy to live as the CL who was able to share a part of herself with you all and all the love that you gave me renewed me once more.
Like the 13-year-old Chaelin, like the words that my grandmother has given me, powerfully and confidently.
I am not going to wait for someone else to choose me and instead work on going back to being the CL that can tackle problems one by one. All the time and memories that I’ve experienced, and the emotions; I am excited and my heart flutters at the thought of sharing those with you.
For all the CLs in the world.
In the name of love,
CL
CL teased the album on her Instagram, and fellow former 2NE1 member Park Bom also helped share the news on her page as well.
Are you excited for CL’s return to the Korean music scene?
—-Olivia Murray
Trigger Warning: Article discusses sexual assault and rape.
Former singers Jung Joon-Young and Choi Jong-Hoon (FTISLAND) received their sentences for gang-rape and taking and distributing videos (molka) involving rape and other sexual acts.
On November 29, 2019, Jung received a six-year prison sentence while Choi received a five-year prison sentence for their crimes. Both men will also have to undergo 80 hours of sexual violence treatment courses and have been banned from working with children according to the BBC.
In Jung’s case, Judge Kang Seong-Soo, who presided the trials, stated that he raped women who were “drunk and unable to resist, filmed them nude and having sex, then spread it on a group chat. We can’t imagine the pain the victims might have felt who found out later.”
Jung told the courts he felt remorse for his acts. Meanwhile, Judge Kang stated that Choi “did not feel remorse after mass-raping drunken victims.”
The Seoul District Court also threw out the defendants’ claims that the sexual acts were consensual.
Details of Jung and Choi’s illicit acts leaked over a period of several months after conversations from Jung’s “golden phone” hit the media. During the hearings, more details emerged. In one instance, Jung and Choi took part in a recorded gang-rape of an inebriated woman back in 2016 while both men were in Daegu. They were also found guilty of a similar crime that occurred in 2016 in Gangwon-do.
Jung was charged in 11 counts of sharing illegal videos including an instance where he recorded a non-consensual encounter he later shared on KakaoTalk with messages stating “I drugged her and went back and forth from a to v then finished in her mouth.”
Many Netizens feel that the sentences are too light for both former stars. However, they are receiving heavier sentences than some accused of sexual crimes in the United States, where, in one instance, someone found guilty of rape only served nine months of a one-year sentence while another man received ten years of probation. Another well-known example is Brock Turner who received a six-month jail sentence for rape. He only served three months of his sentence.
What is clear is that sexual assault and rape are not taken as seriously as they should be in many instances.
—-Olivia Murray
If the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is an annual tradition in your home and you happen to be a K-Pop fan, you may have been surprised to see NCT-127 performing on the LEGO’s Brick-Changer float during the November 28, 2019 installment of the yearly event.
NCT-127’s appearance delighted NCTizens as “Cherry Bomb” blasted from the LEGO float. The group waved and blew kisses to fans as they appeared to be soaking up the moment.
i’m going to cry this is what they deserve yuta looks so freaking happy to be on that float and the way i can feel his eyes practically shinning it’s such a beautiful day #NCT127_MacysParade pic.twitter.com/2x1kOSsQoM
— xuxi’s right earring ✰ (@yukhelei) November 28, 2019
When it was their time to perform during the parade, NCT-127 performed “Highway to Heaven.” Although it was a shortened version, parade-goers and television viewers had an opportunity to catch some of the group’s dance skills and vocals. For some, this was their first listen of a K-Pop group.
Performing at the Macy’s Parade is an honor that many wish to hold. For NCT-127 to be invited to the event as the first K-Pop group to hold court is a special honor indeed!
SM Entertainment’s powerful male group, made up of Mark Lee, Taeil, Johnny, Taeyong, Doyoung, Yuta, Jaehyun, and Haechan, has been making the rounds in the United States this year with stops on several talk and morning shows including PeopleTV, Strahan and Sara, and the TODAY Show. Earlier this year, they were also the first K-Pop group to perform during the MTV European Music Awards, so making the rounds—and history—have definitely become part of NCT-127’s DNA!
If you missed an opportunity to catch NCT-127 in New York, there are still two more chances to see them in the US this month! On December 5, the group will perform at POPTOPIA 2019 in San Jose, California. They are part of a lineup that includes Lizzo, Halsey, Normani, Louis Tomlinson, Bazzi, and Ally Brooke. On December 7, they will perform as part of Chicago’s B96 Jingle Bash at Rosemont. Monsta X, Katy Perry, Camila Cabello, Marshmello, Normani, Lil Tecca, and AJ Mitchell will also perform. Hopefully you’ll get you’ll chance to see them live!
—-Olivia Murray
Former KARA member Kang Jiyoung will be making her return to the Korean acting scene soon!
On December 2, 2019, Jiyoung signed with Key East Entertainment to resume activities in South Korea. Since 2014, Jiyoung has been active as an actress and singer in Japan where she and KARA had immense popularity during their collective runs.
“After she moved from being a singer to being an actress in 2014, she has been stacking her filmography in Japan, starting from small roles all the way up to leading roles,” Key East Entertainment said. “We will be supporting her to the fullest so she can also act in Korea.”
Jiyoung joins a strong celebrity lineup by signing with Key East. Other Key East talents include Kim Soo-Hyun, Kim Dong-Wook, Joo Ji-Hoon, and Kim Hyun-Joong.
While she is returning to Korea, she is and still will be active in Japan. In 2019, she held three film roles in Tokyo Ghoul S, Dosukoi! Sukehira, and Soshite, Ikiru. She also has a role in the film Ohtsunahiki No Koi, which is scheduled for release in 2021.
We can’t wait to see what activities Jiyoung will engage in while returning to promotions in Korea.
—-Olivia Murray
Thank you very much for taking the time out for a KCrush interview. Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, I am a singer called Lee Laa Hee. It’s slightly embarrassing to say this myself, but since I cover so many different kinds of songs live, my fans call me the queen or goddess of live performances. However, I am just a singer who still has so much more to sing and have so many venues where I want to perform at.
Singing is not a job for me, but it is what motivates me to live. I’ve always considered music same as breathing, and I crave to becomes a songster who is able to touch people’s hearts.
I’ve performed over five thousand times so far, and I perform live via YouTube each week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It brings me so much happiness to sing and I love communicating with the fans. That is why I do my best to make more time and space to sing to more audience.
Have you always wanted to be a singer? How did you choose your career as a singer?
I’m told that I was into singing since I could talk, at age 3. I recall that I’ve always wanted to be a singer, and in life, I’ve always regarded being a singer my fate.
As I got into middle school and joined the church choir, I became more intimate with music. I naturally got to know how to vocalize and breathe, as I started learning songs more in depth. Around this time, I made up my mind firmly to take up singing as a career instead of just dreaming about being one.
I later competed in singing contests, after being advised by one of my seniors to enter, and I actually got to win. At age 20, I was given the opportunity to sing live in front of an audience and thus began my life as a professional singer. I can never forget the butterflies I got from my first performance.
You cover a lot of genres of music but which genre are you the most comfortable singing?
I sing what the fans request, so I cover many genres of music but what I initially wished to sing is rock ballad that has a lot of rock infused. I started singing since I was attracted by the pleading, rock sound. My husky voice match well with it too.
Which color would you compare your voice and musical sound to?
It would be hard to compare or express my sound to just one color. This might also indicate that my vocal characteristics are not that clearly defined, however, if I had to choose a color, it would be rainbow colors.
At times, my voice sound passionately red, and at times cloudy like it is on a cloudy day, while soft and yellowy like the shade of cheese. On days when emotions get strong, it seems like black – making its way through a dark tunnel.
What do you do to look after your voice?
I normally sing about 20 songs per performance. I don’t know if you’d believe me, but on some days, I sing up to 70 songs a performance.
Unless you’re breathing through your abs, you can’t sing for long due to straining your vocal cord. The most important thing to remember when protecting your voice is to breathe and vocalize properly. When the two are done properly, the more sound you make, the vocal cord will adjust to it, regardless of the state of your condition. So, rather than looking after my voice in a special way, I think that my vocal cord is protected through right way of breathing and vocalizing.
I also make the effort to have to keep my throat covered and warm, drink warm water and keep to other good habits in order to protect the neck area. I normally do a lot of performances while standing up, so I eat well and keep fit by doing yoga. I take regular walks with my pet dog and maintain a good mental health as well.
What are your hobbies and interests?
I really love to cook. I cook Korean cuisine, and currently learning Vietnamese and Chinese cooking as well. It’s such a nice feeling to give out traditional Korean dishes to the people around me and share delicious food with precious people. Whenever there’s a meeting where I meet up with my fans, I provide them with tteokguk or jjigae. At times, I prepare food enough for 100 people or more.
I also love going on trips when I have the time. At night, I leave the city to a remote rural countryside to sit and look at the stars. I reflect back on the life I’ve led so far or dream away about performing at a stadium, in front of multitudes of
What is your favorite food or beverage?
I love cuisines related to crabs the most. Crab-jjim, Soy Sauce Marinated Crab and other dishes with crabs in… In Korea, we eat seaweed soup on our birthday, but I have a crab soup instead, because I love crabs so much.
Instead of having manufactured drinks, I enjoy drinking juice made from the fruit in time of the season. Because it’s not that easy to find such quality juices, I make my own to consume. Recently, I’ve made citron fruit preserves by marinating the fruit in sugar. I also made bellflower preserves, which is supposed to be good for the throat, and I add it with water to drink. I also bought passion fruits and made it into an extract.
Which artist or musician do you respect the most?
I respect the now-deceased Whitney Houston the most. She was a whole package – from her vocalizing, mouthing, charisma that took over the whole stage… and everything besides. Her life was full of ups and downs, which has a lot of similarities to my life, so it made me more relatable to her. After losing her voice, Whitney unsuccessfully made a comeback and later lost her dear life. It saddens me each time I think of how she lived.
I didn’t lead a very smooth life either. I had a difficult family background, had to get two surgeries on my vocal cords, was extremely depressed due to certain people and all these things in my life play a part emotionally through my singing.
Out of Korean singers, I respect Patti Kim sunbaenim the most. Although she’s in her 80s, she manages to take care of herself/her voice so well, and emanates so much charisma on stage. She’s now retired but her energetic performances still stays clearly in my mind.
What kind of songs do you listen to the most frequently these days?
I don’t really listen to current music or albums, but mostly focus on listening to a lot of old pop songs because I love the old music for the sentimental vibes that they have. There are so many songs that I never knew before and so many of them that I want to sing.
So, I tend to look up older music than the contemporary, these days. I have a thousand Korean pop covers uploaded on my YouTube channel but not that many English pop songs, so I plan to upload more of these in the future.
What do you think you will be doing 15 years from now?
I have my own ambitions as a singer but most of all, my goal in life is to regard my music as a refuge and a way of enjoyment for myself. If it becomes a job or career, my life will then start to diminish, in my opinion. I believe that I need to be happy in order to deliver happiness to other people. With that in mind, I want to be around people who enjoy listening to my singing.
I also love stars, wind, flowers, music and puppies. I think, in 15 years-time, I would have settled down in a house in a rural area. As long as YouTube still exists, I will be uploading videos of my singing from the countryside, lol.
Share with us your future plans and hopes. Please add something for the fans too.
I am preparing to put together an album of songs that I’ve released in the past, and the songs that I have not yet released before. I’ve come to know that there are people out there who like to hear me sing but can’t make it to the venues where I perform, for various reasons.
My album will include tracks that I’ve written myself and the album is scheduled to be released next year, in March. After that, I plan to hold concerts and promote my own songs that I wrote, not just covers. If given the chance, I would also love to hold performances abroad as well.
If there’s even one person who is consoled or comforted through my music, I won’t stop so that my music can shine for them, like it did for me.
—J. Chung.
Jasmine with Hines Ward
Jasmine Cho is the Founder of Yummyholic, an online bakery specializing in edible art, and has been baking sweet treats for 20 years, receiving a number of awards including CREATOR of the Year, Small Business Community Champion, and the Women & Business Award along the way.
She is also a 2019 TEDxPittsburgh speaker, and currently pursuing research with hopes to pioneer the nation’s first research-based and trauma-informed bake therapy program.
We’d like to send out “a massive thank you” to Jasmine for this great interview and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers please?
My name is Jasmine Cho, and I am the owner of an online bakery called Yummyholic where I specialize in small treats that taste as amazing as they look! More recently though, my work as a “cookie activist” has become more widely recognized throughout media (NPR, CBS This Morning, TED, HuffPost, etc.) – I create realistic portrait cookies that are hand-drawn with icing, food coloring, and edible art paint in order to elevate representation for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Share with us a little about your childhood.
I am a second-generation Korean-American born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I grew up with my parents, paternal grandmother, and an older brother. I was very fortunate to grow up in a household where treats and desserts were never associated with guilt but always enjoyed as a means of celebration. Everyone in my family has a sweet tooth, so it really felt like only a matter of time before I would fall into baking!
Tell us how you initially got into baking.
I first learned how to bake during my sophomore year of high school. My best friend at the time was at our house for a sleepover, and she suggested that we try baking one of the recipes in my old cookbooks. Her mother had taught her how to bake, so she basically passed that gift onto me, teaching me how to properly measure flour and basics like preheating the oven. We ended up making pineapple coconut squares that turned out divine, and I was hooked on baking ever since.
What do you like the most about baking and cookies?
Giving it all away! I think the magic of baking exists in the way it encourages love and community. Unlike cooking food for sustenance, baked goods are really an extra measure of love, because it literally is treating someone with something that’s supposed to be enjoyed as an indulgence, not a necessity.
The process of baking is also vastly different from cooking; you can easily improvise and throw things together when you’re cooking, but baking takes precision and patience. I think the methodical nature of baking can be very therapeutic for certain people, while frustrating for others. If you find comfort in being able to exercise control and maintaining order (like me), then it’s likely you prefer baking over cooking.
What is the most difficult task when running a company, in your opinion?
Apart from the usual small business tasks like scaling, branding, marketing, etc., the most challenging aspect of entrepreneurship that I don’t think is talked about enough is the level of vulnerability it forces on you. Especially for artists and makers who have a personal hand in the creation of their products, you’re putting so much of yourself out into the world to be judged. Even in how you structure your pricing, it ultimately ends up as a reflection of your self-worth. It takes a remarkable amount of daily courage to keep putting yourself out there through your business.
“Asian squat” interpretation with 3D cookies | 2019
What is your favorite food or beverage?
This is so hard, because I am a huge foodie and love eating lol! Whenever I’m forced to choose only one food that I would have to eat for the rest of my life though, I tend to always choose salmon (and white rice)!
Who do you respect the most in the world?
I love and respect every member of my immediate family – my mother, my father, and my brother. We have certainly had our ups and downs, but what I feel most blessed about in regard to my family is how each of us have continued to grow and evolve together over the years. I admire each of them equally for being models of continual growth and humility for me; they remind me every day how important it is to keep moving and never remaining too stagnant or rigid to change.
When do you feel the most rewarded?
I feel incredibly rewarded whenever I receive a message of support and resonance from a random stranger who read about my work. I’m actually surprised and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support I have received over the past half year since my TEDx talk and subsequent media exposure happened. I predominantly hear from other people who identify as Asian American who resonate with me in terms of the feeling of invisibility and irrelevance they struggled with while growing up in this country, but I also hear from adoptive parents with children from Asian countries who write to me expressing how they want to make sure they can do what they can to help navigate those kind of ostracizing experiences with their children.
Have you been to your motherland? If so, did you experience any culture shock when you were over there?
The term “motherland” is so interesting to me, because the only country I’ve lived and grew in is the United States. I have been to South Korea several times throughout my childhood though, and like many other second-generation Koreans, we somehow stick out like a sore thumb and experience this mirrored experience of isolation even when we think we finally physically fit into the environment. I haven’t been back much at all as an adult and would love to return for an extended period of time to really experience it in a more meaningful way.
Which Asian culture(s) are you the most interested in?
It would definitely be Korean culture, since that is my heritage. I was lucky enough to have taken full advantage of Korean school while growing up and maintaining fluency in the language. Especially having firsthand experience of the impact of Japanese imperialism in our family, where I gleaned a ton of Japanese words from my grandmother thinking that they were Korean words, it means more to me to do what I can to preserve and learn as much about Korean culture as possible. I don’t take it for granted that our language and culture were almost erased.
Where do you like to visit the most in the world?
I regularly get to visit my family in Hawaii and California. As someone who now lives in cold Pittsburgh, I feel extremely blessed to be able to venture to warmer, paradise-like climates every year. I love to travel and would love to visit as many places around the globe as possible, but it doesn’t mean as much to me if I’m not able to share the experience with my loved ones. So being able to just see my parents in Honolulu every year and my brother in Laguna Beach, always lifts my spirits.
What are your plans and hopes for the future? What do you think you’ll be doing in 15 years-time?
I’m currently working hard to do what I can to pioneer a bake therapy program rooted in art therapy research. I hope that in 15 years-time, I would have lent a significant hand in legitimizing baking as a form of therapy that is accessible to the populations that can benefit most from the activity.
I also hope to continue writing more books and creating cookie art that helps lift everyone through education. Doing what I can to elevate representation for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders not only lifts up our community, but it shines light on the disparity and biases in our education system as a whole that I hope can continue to improve over the years.
Jasmine’s social media: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
—J. Chung.
Coming off their magnificent 2018 breakout year, Momoland have had a relatively quiet 2019, which has been a shock to fans given the group’s mega-popular hits “Bboom Bboom” and “Baam.” This year, they’ve only released “I’m So Hot” in Korea and “Pinky Love” in Japan.
However, since March 2019, there seems to be some issues within the group or between group members and Momoland’s company MLD Entertainment (formerly Dublekick Company) as members Daisy and Taeha have been noticeably absent from group promotions.
MLD Entertainment has stated Daisy and Taeha have been on leave for “health and personal reasons.” Fans speculated that Daisy was being punished by the company after news broke that she and iKON’s Yunhyeong were allegedly dating. MLD Entertainment said the two were seeing each other while YG Entertainment denied the news.
Then, in October 2019, Daisy’s mother took to social media and posted messages that left fans wondering what was really going on between the missing members, Momoland, and MLD Entertainment.
In her messages, Daisy’s mother discussed Daisy’s sadness and left a vague message stating “Someone like this is out there. Thank you very much. Six months have passed, and my heart is breaking. In a society like this, we should live right and stand up against small injustices. #itsunfair #imfurious #momoland,” and “they live calmly and shamelessly.” Who the “someone” and “they” are is unclear as they could refer to the company or Momoland. Many of the messages have since been deleted.
For Taeha, MLD Entertainment stated her health was an issue, but they did not elaborate.
Since Daisy and Taeha’s absences, fans have begged MLD Entertainment for an explanation for their extended hiatuses. Some fans have even gone as far as starting online petitions to get answers to no avail.
On November 29, 2019, MLD Entertainment finally announced that Taeha would be leaving Momoland, but instead of saying Daisy would be departing, fans were shocked to find out the Yeonwoo would be leaving as well. MLD announced the departures in a statement.
Hello, this is MLD Entertainment.
We would like to make a statement regarding our performers, MOMOLAND, who are reorganized as a six-member team.
Taeha and Yeonwoo, who have been with MOMOLAND as a part of the team, are about to make a new start by leaving the team today.
Both Taeha and Yeonwoo have thought deeply about their career path for a long time and upon having enough time for their thoughts, have had much conversation with the company.
First of all, following careful consideration and respecting her own opinion as a top priority, Taeha is going to make a new start at a new place with her exclusive contract terminated. Thus, the company will fully support and encourage her new start as much as possible.
While Yeonwoo has had deep affection for her MOMOLAND activities, she has decided that continuing together with her actress activities would be too much strain for both her team and herself, so to leave the team and concentrate on her career as our actress [under MLD Entertainment].
Finally, regarding Daisy, since we are still going through a mutual discussion, we will inform you as soon as we reach an agreement.
This decision was carefully made after much conversation and discussion between the performers and the company, so we would like to request you to restrain from making unnecessary speculations and causing misunderstandings.
We would like to ask you for warm encouragement and support for all the members who would go on their new path from now on.
From executives and staff members of MLD Entertainment.
Taeha has opted to leave the company, while MLD Entertainment essentially said Daisy left the group but is currently in contract talks. Yeonwoo will no longer be with Momoland, but she is still with the company as an actress.
Yeonwoo’s leave did shock many, but there have been rumors that she planned to leave Momoland earlier this year. Rumors of her departure started in June when she was absent from group activities, but MLD Entertainment shot those rumors down with a statement.
“Rumors of Yeonwoo leaving Momoland are absolutely not true,” the company said. “The reason she has been absent from Momoland’s recent schedules is due to the fact that she is attending her drama schedules. Back on June 28, Yeonwoo was unable to attend Momoland’s schedule in Chile due to her health, as we previously notified.”
Initially, Yeonwoo also denied the rumors when she addressed the situation on the group’s fan café.
Our Merrys, you were really suprised at the rumors, right? I was flustered, too, but I thought Merrys would be so shocked and hurt, so I decided to come write. You were concerned because after the article that said I was considering a drama, I disappeared, right?
I couldn’t talk about my schedules, so I was preparing to do my best. That time ran on for longer than I thought and created a misunderstanding for Merrys and the public.
The SNS updates that everyone wanted to know about were photos I took when I had time to attend plays and musicals that my friends are in and I was invited to. My friend’s birthday is when I wasn’t feeling very well, so I told the label, and went with my manager to just give them my present. No matter what the reason was, I’m sorry that I created situations that could be misunderstood.
I know our Merrys trust Momoland and me first and foremost, so I’m sorry that I made you sad. I asked my friends to be careful from now on, and more than anything, I’ll work hard to be more responsible!
Everyone, you must have been worried. I will continue to be forever a Momoland member! I’m staying healthy and working hard so I can go back, so please just wait a little bit.
Thank you for reading this. I’ll work hard for all the fans who have believed in me even though I wasn’t careful. I’m planning to be a great actress as well, so please look forward to it. I love you always and thank you.
Since MLD’s announcement, Daisy has yet to speak due to ongoing contract talks; Yeonwoo also has not made a statement. However, Taeha opened a personal Instagram account and talked about her departure shortly after her leave was announced.
In her message, Taeha said:
Hello, this is Taeha.
As a member of MOMOLAND, I have received so much love, and I have been so, so happy to have you with me.
Throughout my activities, I was able to feel and experience so many things I wouldn’t have otherwise, and I am so grateful! Thank you so much for being by my side and allowing me to shine.
I will not forget the gratitude I feel now, and I will greet you in the future even better than before with good music through my new start. Please wait for me a little and please continue to give me your support. Thank you.
While the overall news is a surprise, we hope Daisy, Taeha, and Yeonwoo all find success in their fresh starts. Meanwhile, we hope Momoland, also, experience growth as a group if they get to come back in the new year.
—-Olivia Murray
The 47th annual American Music Awards were held November 24, 2019 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California. The awards show fêtes music artists and their contributions to the music scene during a given year.
For this year’s awards, global K-Pop sensation BTS were nominated for three awards: Favorite Duo or Group Pop/Rock, Favorite Social Artist, and Tour of the Year. BTS took home each award!
For Favorite Duo Group Pop/Rock, BTS beat out the Jonas Brothers and Panic! At the Disco. For this award, BTS became the first non-English speaking group to be nominated for and won the award.
“BTS has been a group for six and half years, and throughout those years, so many of our dreams somehow manifest into reality. And ARMY, you guys are the ones who make all of this possible,” RM said in a recorded message after winning the award. “We really couldn’t have done it without your love and support from all over the world. We will try our best to live up to [your love], to strive high and work hard.”
A special thank you message from @BTS_twt to the ARMY for winning Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/mkdFiMwmhI
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) November 25, 2019
For the second year in a row, the group took home the Favorite Social Artist award, beating out Billie Eilish, EXO, Ariana Grande, and Shawn Mendes. This is also the second year the award has been given, and so far, BTS is making it their own.
For Tour of the Year, BTS’ “Love Yourself World Tour” earned the honor over Elton John, P!nk, Ariana Grande, and Ed Sheeran.
BTS swept the categories for which they were nominated, which is a first for a Korean artist. Congratulations to BTS and A.R.M.Y for their winnings!
—–Olivia Murray
Fans of the Asian celebrity community suffered another loss November 27, 2019.
Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model Godfrey Gao (Gao Yixiang), 35, died Wednesday after collapsing during the filming of Chase Me, a popular Chinese reality TV show that involves celebrities competing against each other and regular people in a variety of athletic challenges.
Chase Me producers released a statement addressing the situation, stating Gao “suddenly fell down to the ground while running, medical staff treated him on the spot, he was then rushed to hospital for treatment.”
According to Jetstar Entertainment, Gao’s agency, Gao was rushed to the hospital following his collapse. The popular star passed away three hours later.
“In the early hours of November 27, our beloved Godfrey collapsed while filming on set,” Jetstar Entertainment said in a statement. “Following three hours of rescue efforts, he unfortunately left us. We are very shocked and saddened and even until now find it impossible to accept.”
The statement continued by mentioning how staff of the TV show were always around and assisted as they rushed Gao to the hospital. Jetstar also thanked fans and media who supported Gao and asked for privacy so his family could mourn his loss.
“We feel extremely distressed and extremely sad,” Chase Me producers added. “We are deeply regretful and sorry for the irreparable and serious consequences that this incident has caused and are willing to take up responsibility.”
While there are now more questions following the show following Gao’s passing, Chase Me has been the subject of scrutiny before. Director and actor Xu Sheng states producers must be held responsible. Sheng also points out that the show has poor working conditions as many contestants have been brought to the brink of exhaustion during filming.
Gao, who was born in Taiwan and moved to Vancouver, British Columbia in his youth, is the first ever Asian model for Louis Vuitton. He’s held roles in several Chinese dramas and movies over the years as well, and he’s held roles in American films including The Mortal Instruments (2013) opposite Lily Collins and Lena Headey. His final role was in Shanghai Fortress, which came out in August 2019.
We extend our condolences to Gao’s family and friends.
—-Olivia Murray
On November 25, 2019, police concluded their investigation into singer and actress Goo Hara’s passing. During the press conference, police provided some more details regarding the 28-year-old’s passing and concluded there was no foul play.
Speaking to the media, Commissioner Lee Yong Pyo of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, “Yesterday [Sunday November 24, 2019] around 6 pm, Goo Hara’s housekeeper discovered her. Based on an on-site inspection and testimony from her family, there are no suspicions of a crime.”
Later, Commissioner Lee added, “The housekeeper had maintained a close relationship with Goo Hara for a long time. She went to her home after she attempted to contact Goo Hara and received no response.”
During the press conference, police elaborated on what they found on CCTV footage, stating that Hara returned to her residence at approximately 12:35am local time on November 24, 2019. They shared that no one came to the residence after Hara returned home, and that her time of death may have occurred close to when she arrived home.
Earlier, it was reported that the police were unsure if an autopsy would occur. Commissioner Lee confirmed that the possibility is still unknown.
“We will decide after consulting with the prosecution while considering her family’s opinion and the results of the on-site inspection. Nothing has been decided as of now,” Commissioner Lee said.
Regarding the note found at Hara’s residence, the commissioner did confirm the message was in Hara’s handwriting.
“There was a hand-written note found on a table in her living room,” Commissioner Lee said.
Another police representative added, “There is nothing we can reveal about the contents of the note.” However, the representative added that the message was “pessimistic.”
Earlier, it was revealed that Hara’s funeral would be private. However, a public memorial has been set up at St. Mary’s Funeral Hall in the Gangnam District beginning at 3pm local time November 25, 2019 to midnight on November 27, 2019.
We send our condolences to Hara’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, there is help.
United States
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: A 24/7 nationwide text-messaging hotline. Text 741741 to talk to a trained counselor.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255- Available 24 hours every day.
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386. Crisis and suicide prevention services available to the LGBTQ+ community.
Trans Lifeline: Call (877) 565-8860. Crisis and suicide prevention services for trans and non-binary individuals.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 for help. Text 838255 for text-based services. This service aids veterans.
Canada
Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868. A 24-hour service for youths 20 and under.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Assistance is available in French and English. However, they are not a crisis center, but they do have links to crisis centers in each Canadian province.
Trans Lifeline: Call (877) 330-6366
Youthspace: This service helps people aged 30 and under. Text them at 778-783-0177. The service is available from 6pm to midnight PST.
For a complete list of suicide and crisis lifelines available in many countries, please visit Wikipedia’s list of resources.
Related: Billboard – “Goo Hara was a K-Pop Royal Who Deserved a Better World”; Kpopmap – “Netizens Revisit Goo Hara’s Classic Story Of Becoming A Superstar Amidst Assault Case”
—-Olivia Murray
We’re bringing you an interview from Korean fashion designer, Han Chul Lee, who creates fantastic fashion for men. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Han for offering his precious time for this great interview.
*Thank you very much for your time. Please introduce yourself and your brand Han Chul Lee.
Hello, I majored in Art at Hongik University then went onto SADI (Samsun Art & Design Institute) to study fashion design. I then worked as a women’s wear designer for the brand Time, then from 2011, studied for a degree in menswear at the Royal College of Art in London. My winning the ITS (International Talent Support) competition in Italy led to the launching of my own brand, Han CHUL LEE.
*Have you always wanted to become a fashion designer?
I’ve always been interested in clothes, though I never thought of a career in fashion. At university, I gradually came to dream of becoming a designer, and ended up going to SADI.
*How did you come to decide your brand name?
Well, as my own name, Han Chul Lee is probably the most frank and open choice of name for me.
*Is there an interesting episode or a source of inspiration from this year’s collection?
I personally enjoy watching old Korean TV dramas, and recently while watching a popular series from the 90s, I realized that the style back then in Seoul was quite similar to what fashion is like today. I tried to express that Seoul of “today”, in other words a reinterpretation of a 90s drama series set in Cheongdamdong with Jazz music and all, by eliminating excessive decorations and forms and going for a naturalistic and sophisticated style.
*Who is the designer you respect the most?
It’s got to be Martin Margiela.
*If you were to collaborate with another designer, who would it be?
As for a designer that would be Minju Kim, my close colleague and friend, and as for a brand, I would say Stone Island.
*Who is the model you would like to work with in the future?
Han Ji-woong.
*Who is your mentor?
I learn from all designers.
*What part of your working process do you feel the most contentment?
I’m at my happiest when I meet people who love clothes.
*What’s your working environment like?
I like to work alone at my office, with some movie or YouTube video running.
*What music do you listen to, during work or rest?
I mostly listen to city pop from the 90s, or Jazz.
*If you were to give advice for young designers of the future?
I think you need good sensitivity before good design can come about. Meet lots of people and have a good time.
*What would you be doing in 10 years from now? What are your plans and hopes?
I’m looking to enter Seoul’s fashion market, shifting my former focus on overseas sales. In 10 years, I wish my brand would be one of the foremost brands representative of Seoul.
–J. Chung.
We’re happy to release another fashion-related interview with a very artisic fashion designer in Korea. We would like to thank Mr. Choi Chung-hoon for offering his precious time for this interview and we wish him all the best in all his endeavors.
Please introduce yourself and your brand to our readers.
DOUCAN is a reinterpretation of the beauty of nature, light, various objects in an oriental fantasy-like way by myself, fashion designer Choi Chung-hoon.
I graduated from Studio Bercot in France and has worked for fashion brands like Kenzo, Chanel, Givenchy and many others. DOUCAN was launched in Korea in 2011.
How did you decide to become a fashion designer? Was it something you wanted to do growing up?
Ever since I was young, I was a boy who loved clothing. As I grew older, I wanted to go beyond just liking clothes and dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. That is why I went to France to study fashion and became a fashion designer.
How did the name DOUCAN come about?
While I was getting prepared to launch my brand, I visited Paris where I had studied fashion years prior. I met with my friend Stefan Doukhan who used to be my good friend and when we met again, he was still my best friend. He was someone that I spent time in Paris, while studied fashion so passionately. Korea is physically very far from France, but I got to realize how precious our friendship is, so I decided to name my brand after his name.
By doing so, I can remember my friend and tell myself that I would develop the brand to make him proud. My friend is looking on and rooting for me from far away, in Paris.
How did you find inspiration for this collection?
I love nature. I love watching TV documentaries on nature the most. I don’t think there is nothing more beautiful than nature. I wanted to show the beauty of nature in my collection, and that is why I made my own secret garden.
Which fashion designer do you respect the most?
I respect fashion designer Azzedine Alaia. His collection really expresses the female body in a beautiful way. From his work, I’m convinced that he was a genius. I’m awed every time.
When are you the most content?
Each season, the process of the artwork is the most difficult. Since a brand-new artwork has to be showcased and it all has to match the clothes. I’m happy when the new artwork and the clothes fit well.
What kind of environment do you normally work in?
Most of the work is done in the office. I play music that I like, and I prefer working quietly through the night, after the day’s work is over. I also like to work during weekends while everyone else is taking the days off, because I can concentrate on the work when there are no phones ringing from the suppliers or whatever.
What kind of music do you listen to while working?
I listen to diverse music, everything from classical, pop to Korean pop.
What would you advise to your juniors?
It’s crucial to have your identity when it comes to designing. If you don’t have your own identity, it wouldn’t be easy to continue operating your own brand.
What do you think you’ll be doing 10 years from now? Share with us your plans and dreams for the future.
I think I would still be doing artwork and making new clothes. It would be great if I was showcasing my clothes to overseas and selling them as well. I want this brand to evolve into something beautiful that everyone would want to wear and become happy in. Thank you.
—J. Chung.
Following the shocking news that singer and actress Goo Hara, 28, passed away November 24, 2019, her Japanese agency*, Production Ogi, and her family have opted to hold a private funeral and memorial service. Both parties have also decided that a fans and media memorial will be set up in Hara’s honor.
“Fans and members of the press will be able to pay their respects to [Hara] in Hall 1 at St. Mary’s Funeral Hall in the Gangnam District starting from 3 p.m. today to midnight on November 27,” Production Ogi stated.
The company added, “In accordance with the wishes of the family, who hoped to hold a quiet funeral, we have arranged for a separate location [for fans] to pay their respects. We are overwhelmed with sorrow at having to relay the news of [Hara’s] passing to so many people.”
The company stated that the family will hold a private memorial for Hara at Yonsei Severance Hospital Funeral Hall beginning at 8am today (November 25, 2019).
“To allow the deceased to make a peaceful departure, we urge you to refrain from visiting the Yonsei Severance Hospital Funeral Hall, where the family will be holding their private funeral,” Production Ogi said. “Once again, we express our deepest feelings of grief.”
Meanwhile, police continue to investigate Hara’s cause of death. During their investigation, Gangnam Police revealed they may have found a possible message from Hara, but they did not elaborate on what the message says or what it pertains to or even if it’s related to Hara’s passing.
Police also haven’t decided if an autopsy will be performed.
Production Ogi has asked the media and fans to not speculate on the star’s cause of death.
If you or someone you love is struggling with depression, there is help.
United States
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line: A 24/7 nationwide text-messaging hotline. Text 741741 to talk to a trained counselor.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255- Available 24 hours every day.
The Trevor Project: Call 1-866-488-7386. Crisis and suicide prevention services available to the LGBTQ+ community.
Trans Lifeline: Call (877) 565-8860. Crisis and suicide prevention services for trans and non-binary individuals.
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 for help. Text 838255 for text-based services. This service aids veterans.
Canada
Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868. A 24-hour service for youths 20 and under.
The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Assistance is available in French and English. However, they are not a crisis center, but they do have links to crisis centers in each Canadian province.
Trans Lifeline: Call (877) 330-6366
Youthspace: This service helps people aged 30 and under. Text them at 778-783-0177. The service is available from 6pm to midnight PST.
For a complete list of suicide and crisis lifelines available in many countries, please visit Wikipedia’s list of resources.
*Goo Hara was not signed to a Korean agency at the time of her passing. Production Ogi is the agency behind her Japanese promotions and has been handling the press in both Korea and Japan at this time.
—-Olivia Murray
The K-Pop and J-Pop world lost another star as Goo Hara (KARA) was found dead this evening in her home.
Hara was found unconscious at her private residence at 6pm KST Sunday November 24, 2019 according to the Gangnam Police Department. Production Ogi, Hara’s Japanese agency, released a statement confirming the news following the discovery.
Hello.
We are here to deliver tragic and unfortunate news.
Family members and friends of Goo Hara are deeply shocked and anxious at the moment.
Therefore, we earnestly request that you refrain from writing speculative articles and spreading rumors. In addition, we ask the media and fans to refrain from making condolence calls.
We apologize for conveying this sudden news, and we are sorry once again for requesting that [the media and fans] refrain from making condolence calls.
Currently, Hara’s cause of death is under investigation, so any news regarding manner of death is speculation at this point. Unlike in May, Hara did not post a goodbye message on Instagram, but her last update was a selfie that simply said “goodnight.”
Hara, 28, was rescued from a suicide attempt in May of this year. She has been struggling with depression.
Since September 2018, Hara’s private life has been the subject of the media following a lawsuit she filed against her ex-boyfriend, Choi Jong-Bum, following abuse and allegations that he was going to release sexually exploitive videos of the idol. Choi, in-turn, alleged abuse happened against him as well. Hara and her legal team presented evidence showing Hara’s side and explained that his marks were due to her fighting back in self-defense. In August 2019, Choi received a suspended jail sentence for property damage, physical assault, unnecessary force, and blackmail after three trials. He was not found guilty of sexual assault regarding illegal video footage as the court ruled Hara was aware of the footage but did not ask for it to be deleted.
In September, Choi and his legal team filed an appeal of the judge’s ruling and asked for a lighter sentence. Prosecutors, in turn, wanted more sexual assault charges on the table. Because of the appeal, the court cases between Hara and Choi were still ongoing.
Since Hara’s passing on November 24, fans have trended #최종범_처벌 (punish Choi Jong-Bum) on social media.
Korean women find it more and more difficult to report crimes as victims because they see female artists facing even greater backlashes & trauma because how the public, police and the justice system respond to sexual assault, and that sends a clear message to all women in Korea.
— Jihye Lee 이지혜 (@TheJihyeLee) November 24, 2019
Hara, who was an actress and singer in both South Korea and Japan, made her debut in 2008 as a member of the Korean girl group KARA after Sunghee departed. In 2009, she joined the cast of Invisible Youth, and debuted as an actress in 2011 when she starred as Da-hye in City Hunter. In 2015, Hara debuted as a solo artist with Alohara (Can You Feel It?) and the single “Choco Chip Cookies,” which was a collaboration with rapper Giriboy.
In June 2019, Hara signed an exclusive contract with Production Ogi and recently made her Japanese comeback with “Midnight Queen.”
In light of Hara’s passing, several celebrities canceled appearances, teasers, and other schedules out of respect. Many have shared words of sorrow, disbelief, and remembrance.
Currently, Production Ogi is considering holding a private funeral for the fallen star.
“There is currently nothing that we can say right now, but we have plans to hold her funeral privately,” a representative said. “However, we must also consult Goo Hara’s parents and the bereaved family.”
We send out condolences to Hara’s friends, family, and labelmates during this difficult time.
An investigation into her death is still ongoing.
—-Olivia Murray
Another B.A.P member has found a new home!
Jongup, B.A.P’s dancer and vocalist, has signed an exclusive contract with The Groove Company. Jongup and The Groove Company announced the relationship November 21, 2019.
“Jongup has unlimited potential when it comes to dancing, singing, producing, and many other areas, so we’re happy to be signing an exclusive contact with him. Please give Jongup your love and anticipation as he grows as a solo artist,” the company said in a statement.
In his statement, Jongup said, “I am greeting you as solo artist Jongup. I hope to greet you in the future in a variety of ways through music, performances, and acting. I want to thank the fans who have always believed in me and waited for me.”
Back in September, Jongup appeared in the AOMG survival program, Signhere. While he didn’t make it past the second round, his audition did receive praise from the panel; Jay Park was the most critical of the performance.
Jongup is currently working on a solo album. His projected comeback date is March 2020.
—-Olivia Murray
On December 2, 2019, Starlight will bid adieu to a second VIXX member as Leo is set to enlist as a public service worker.
Jellyfish Entertainment announced the news in a statement.
Hello, this is Jellyfish Entertainment.
We would like to inform you about VIXX Leo’s military enlistment.
VIXX Leo will begin serving in public service on December 2. Leo has been suffering from panic disorder and depression since 2013, and has tried to overcome it through medication, but inevitably, he was declared to serve as a public service worker.
Other details about this are private, and we will not confirm them, please understand.
We are sorry that we were unable to show a healthy side of Leo. Please continue to send him your support.
Thank you.
Leo, who just celebrated his birthday November 10, confirmed his enlistment date on the official fan café. While making the announcement, Leo thanked fans and opened up about his panic disorder and depression. He wrote:
Hello, Starlight. I am going to write today about something that you’ve all been curious about.
As you know, I was born in 1990. I will be enlisting in the military on December 2, which is a little late. I am not enlisting as an active duty soldier but as a public service worker.
I’m also going to talk about something that fans may already know about me. Ever since November 2013, when I went on the fan meeting world tour with VIXX, I have suffered from severe panic disorder and depression. I’ve been taking medicine regularly and am receiving treatment to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
For a long time, I have always thought that I should show a healthy side of myself when enlisting in the army. My heart is heavy because I was not able to do that, even though my enlistment was delayed. First of all, I want to say sorry to the people who will be worried about me because of my health, and also to those who are disappointed in me.
I am well aware fans have worried about me and been anxious about me without being able to tell me directly. The reason that I have been able to walk a straight path for the past seven to eight years as VIXX, despite going through hard times that made me want to give up, was because of Starlight, our muses. Because you were here, I am here also.
I want to say this again to those who have supported me and loved VIXX for eight years. Because of you, I and VIXX are who we are today. I will never forget this gratitude I feel toward you, and I will do my best to become a Jung Taekwoon that can comfort you with music and become your muse.
I have received so much from everyone that I feel sorry instead of grateful, but I will work hard to complete my military service, become healthy, and repay [what I have received].
I bow my head in gratitude to those who love me more than I love myself, who support me and are the source of my strength. To the Starlights who have always been the center of our gravity… I’m sorry for worrying you. I love you. I, Taekwoon, am entrusting my younger VIXX members to you now.
From Taekwoon. I will do better so that I can keep going for a long time.
While the news is sad for fans, it is not unexpected as Leo needed to enlist this year. However, his admission regarding his mental health may come as a surprise, but it’s welcome news in a time when fans hope celebrities receive the mental health treatment they may need during a time when mental health awareness and visibility are earning more recognition.
Since renewing his contract with Jellyfish, VIXX’s leader has been active in musical theatre. Most recently, he’s been one of the stars of Marie Antoinette. On November 10, he also released the single “All of Me.”
On December 1, 2019, Leo will also hold his first “All of Me” fanmeet at Muv Hall. The fanmeet will also be his last time meeting with fans prior to enlisting. The event will be at 3pm and 7pm KST. If you’re in Korea and wish to attend, more information is available on the fan café and Melon.
We wish Leo a safe service and that he returns healthy.
—-Olivia Murray
TS Entertainment finally released a statement regarding Taeseon and Wooyeop’s abuse claims. Instead of directly addressing the allegations, TS Entertainment opted to blame Wooyeop and his brief relationship with a TS Entertainment employee for why TRCNG have struggled to have comebacks.
In addition to their own denials, TS Entertainment also recruited the parents of the eight remaining TRCNG members to speak out against Taeseon and Wooyeop.
On November 20, 2019, the Korean news site Sports World published information TS Entertainment shared regarding Wooyeop’s private life. In their claims, TS Entertainment revealed some details regarding Wooyeop’s dating life and stated that his “woman problems” are the reasons behind TRCNG’s hardships and delayed comebacks.
“Everything that the two members are claiming is a lie. The remaining eight members are currently active in Japan without the two of them. There is a reason for all of that,” TS Entertainment said. “It’s because Wooyeop was dating the agency’s female stylist ‘B’ which made activities difficult. After Wooyeop and ‘B’ were in a relationship, he would always miss choreography practice and go out at night to have fun, so the comeback had to be postponed.”
TS Entertainment also state Taeseon and Wooyeop left TRCNG without permission, thus leaving the other members and their parents feeling betrayed.
On November 21, 2019, TS Entertainment also produced a handwritten note that is allegedly from the parents of the eight remaining TRCNG members.
Official statement from TRCNG parents.
Hello, we are the parents of TRCNG. Firstly, we wish to apologize to the fans who love TRCNG and express our gratitude for your constant support.
We, the parents of the eight members, have stayed in continued communication with the agency, and we have come to the agreement to trust and rely on each other in relation to the members’ activities and work hard for TRCNG’s successful activities. Also, we plan to take active legal action against untrue information and false claims that have been previously made. It is unfortunate that rumors that are different from the truth are being spoken about.
We will work even harder with the agency for TRCNG’s successful activities. Please give your continued support.
Thank you.
TRCNG parents
Meanwhile, Wooyeop’s mother has stood beside Taeseon and her son and claims she has evidence to prove their allegations factual.
“It’s true that Wooyeop dated ‘B’ for about two weeks,” Wooyeop’s mother said about TS’ dating claims. “However, it is immensely incorrect to put all of the responsibility for this situation on Wooyeop’s issue with a woman. The reason for the delay of TRCNG’s comeback was TS’s financial difficulties, as you can see through the previous issues with Sleepy’s power and water being cut off.”
“It’s a clear fact that Wooyeop was assaulted by choreography director Yoon,” Wooyeop’s mother said. “However, he has never once received an apology about it.”
Regarding the message from the TRCNG parents, Wooyeop’s mother said, “The members’ parents have all agreed that they should leave the agency, and we sent a notice [to TS] on October 19. We have a collection of signatures of all the parents showing that we agree they should leave the company.”
Wooyeop’s mother also pointed out that her son has been receiving psychiatric help. She also discussed how representatives from TS Entertainment even questioned medical staff regarding the chair incident while her son was in the hospital. She claims staff kept asking if Wooyeop’s injuries were really from a chair.
On November 20, 2019, Dispatch printed photos from TRCNG’s dorm showing damages and issues within the building. Conversations between Taeseon and Wooyeop, the TRCNG parents, and TS staff have also been shared. Koreaboo translated the messages on their site.
—-Olivia Murray
We always make it our mission to bring you interesting interviews from people who have unique stories to tell. We interviewed the talented Park Yeram, who goes by the name Mareykrap. Here, you can find about how she attained the unique pseudonym, how and why she became an artist and so much more.
We’d like to wish Ms. Park a very big thank you for the great interview, and hope our readers will love reading and getting to know more about the amazing artist.
Thank you for taking the time out for a KCrush interview. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello, nice to meet you all. I am Park Yeram, and I use the pseudonym “Mareykrap” for my work. I am an artist who produces moving illustrations and animation.
How did you come to call yourself by the name Mareykrap?
“Mareykrap” actually derived from my name, Park Yeram. I did not really wish to use my legal name for work but I didn’t want to select a word that had nothing to do with my real name either. Since high school, I’ve been using an id which is the spelling of my name, backwards. It’s still my name but has an unfamiliar feel and uniqueness to it, so that’s how I began using it.
Tell us about your work? Was it your dream to become an artist from an early age?
I wanted to become a fashion designer since I was in high school, so I enrolled into fashion design department at university. However, in time, I felt that I was doing something that wasn’t really suited to me. So, after struggling for some time, I came up with the conclusion that I wanted to tell my story, instead of being swayed by trend or what other people think.
That’s how I began drawing, which was something that I loved to do since I was very young. When I began doing things my way, I eventually came to be doing what I am presently doing.
How were you inspired to create My Name is Red-Haired Anne – I’M JUST ME music video?
For the exhibition currently held at Galleria Foret, I was given the task of working on Chapter 1. A Poor Orphan Girl and Chapter 8. Independent Women. And, Chapter 8 was the area where “I’m Just Me” music video was displayed.
The producer-in-charge suggested that the “Independent Anne” should be of a music video that I interpreted, so I imagined what Ann in the novel would be like if she was living in the year 2019. I was inspired by Anne’s behavior and what she said in the book, and in the story, Marilla scolds her for being too concerned about her looks. But the Anne living in 2019, overcomes her complex and becomes an actress who gets to walk on a red carpet.
In the novel, Anne was living in a society where girls didn’t have to be educate, they only had to be married off well, or women cannot become ministers or lecture in public. But actually, Anne studied hard, with Gilbert as her rival, and had her own dreams. Since she always voiced her opinions, so even if she was living in the present, I imagined that she could’ve even become a president or a politician. I wanted to express Anne as someone who overcame her inferior complex, and fulfilled her dreams in whatever circumstances she was put through, in a defiant and independent way. Because Anne’s personality was like that originally in the book, it was a great feeling to imagine what she would have been like in our modern society.
Did you normally feel a special connection to Anne Shirley?
I think I had a lot of connection to Anne since I was in elementary school. Not just from the TV animation, but I recall my parents gifting me the whole Anne of Green Gables sequels collection by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I had so many other books that I had thrown away whenever we moved to another house or if I grew out of them – but strangely, I always kept the Anne books. I would read the books secretly during class because they were so entertaining, so I think I was influenced by the character “Anne” as a result.
I was lucky to have grown up with a character like Anne, who would always express herself defiantly and able to grow up holding onto her emotions fully. She wouldn’t run away from her troubles but faced them passionately and endured through it all. So, when I was offered to participate in the My name is Red-haired Anne exhibition, I had zero reason not to take part in it.
When do you feel the most rewarded? Tell us about some of your most memorable work.
I guess, I feel the happiest and rewarded when I come up with a piece of work that I am satisfied with, although this doesn’t happen often. If something that I had been working on gets revealed to the world, and even if one single person gets a positive vibe or gets stimulated by it, I think I feel rewarded. And the same goes when I find more people that I want to work with. Because I haven’t been working for long, all my past works are memorable but my most recent Billboard animation work at Hong Kong’s Sogo department store, My name is Red-haired Anne exhibition, and Punchnello – Blue Howaii music video stay in my memory the most.
Who do you have the most respect or admiration for?
I respect Vincent Van Gogh and his younger brother Theo Gogh the most.
I admire the fact that Vincent Van Gogh fought so hard with loneliness when no one realized his potential, while Theo believed in his older brother until the end. Not everyone gets to win the battle over oneself – I often read the letters the Van Gogh brothers wrote to each other when I am so tired during work, and get condolence out of it, it helps to overcome things that I’m going through.
Do you have a preference to a certain color or shade for your work?
Before I began working as an artist, I had definite colors that I liked and disliked. But strangely, there’s no longer colors that I dislike anymore and I felt that all colors hold their own advantages. The important thing is that I don’t regard a color, just one color but something that consists of many other colors.
An example would be that a certain color might look frightful when it’s next to color A but it could be the best when it’s next to color B. Since every color has its pros and cons.
What do you like to do for leisure or hobby?
I love films. I binge on films that I’ve wanted to watch on my days off. I can learn a lot through watching films, I think. I want to write a script/story, and make it into an animation or a film. I also have an interest in clothes and beauty as well, so I love glamming up my friends. I am always happy when I am creating things with my hands.
Where do you think is the best place for tourism in Korea?
I love Seoul the best and also places like Busan, Jeju Island, Geojae Island and Gangwondo stays in my mind too. I think foreigners would love Seoul the most, because the most Korean-like things all exist intensively here, in my opinion.
Could you lend a word of advice for people who wish to become artists?
I think, the most important thing is to trust and back yourself up. Because in truth, this is the loneliest kind of job in a way.
At certain times like this, you need to talk to yourself the most and trust in your instincts. All the answers to your issues usually lie within yourself. I hope that you don’t neglect yourself because you’re worried about what other people think.
Please let us know about your future hopes and plans.
What I really want to do in the future, is to tell my story in my own way, whether it be through pictures, animation, videos or films. It’s a great thing to collaborate with other people too but it’s my ultimate dream to create something of my own as a whole. But there’s so much to learn through doing collaborations too, so I want to get involved to experience diverse works with others in the near future, as well as doing stuff on my own.
–J. Chung.