People talk about April showers bringing spring flowers, but what else did the month of April bring to the K-Entertainment scene?
RIIZE’s Sungchan posing with spring flowers. | @riize_official/Instagram
Drama. Just endless drama.
Now dubbed “the hottest month of 2024,” or possibly in all of K-Pop history, April has become a time of unexpected news, shock, awe, and absolute bamboozlement for fans worldwide.
Kpop world right now: pic.twitter.com/QRG33z5hgS
— Jake Kwon (@JakeKwon88) April 28, 2024
Here are some of the most shocking updates and major controversies that shook us all from April 1 to April 29, in order.
Marry My Husband‘s Lead Actress Accused of Being A School Bully
Netizens Name “Marry My Husband” Song Ha Yoon As Alleged Bully In School Violence Accusations
On April 1, JTBC reported that a popular actress, “Ms. S,” had been accused of school violence. It was soon revealed, thanks to netizens’ detective work, that Ms. S was actress Song Ha Yoon—who had begun her rise to stardom with her villain role in the tvN K-Drama, Marry My Husband.
The revelation is still ongoing, with Song’s accuser and alleged victim sharing KakaoTalk messages received from the actress’s management.
“Marry My Husband” Song Ha Yoon’s Victim Exposes Agency Of Allegedly Sending Shocking Text Messages
IU’s Fan Gets Denied Entry To Concert, EDAM Entertainment Under Fire
Fan Gets Denied Entry To IU’s Concert — Other Fans Accuse Staff Of Stealing Seat
On April 3, IU‘s fan, who managed to score tickets to the idol’s Seoul concert, ended up being turned down at the door—inviting criticism due to how EDAM Entertainment handled the matter.
As of April 9, EDAM Entertainment has apologized to the fan(s) involved, as well as the artist herself, for the controversial “blacklisting” process it has in place for ticket scalpers.
LE SSERAFIM’s First-Week Coachella Performance Sparks Heated Reactions
Korean Netizens React To LE SSERAFIM’s Live Vocals At “Coachella 2024”
On April 14, LE SSERAFIM put forward their first week performance at “Coachella 2024” and received mixed reactions, particularly among Korean netizens. While the group received praise from international fans for their live vocals, the response from the Korean online communities have been less enthusiastic.
After their second week performance stirred up even more drama over whether or not the group had opted to use AR backtracks to quiet down the criticism. The discussion continued well into the week after Coachella, with some accusing the management for “media play.”
Netizens Accuse LE SSERAFIM And HYBE Of Media Play After Second Weekend For “Coachella 2024”
Four Girl Groups Announce Disbandment
Four K-Pop Girl Groups Announced Their Disbandment This Week
Starting on April 22, multiple girl groups announced their disbandments within the span of a week—some of which were more surprising than others. Cherry Bullet, Kep1er, ALICE, and NATURE have all shared the news of their decisions to either disband, discontinue their contracts, and/or get married to retire.
HYBE’s Feud with ADOR and CEO Min Hee Jin First Revealed
HYBE Reportedly Requests ADOR’s CEO Min Hee Jin To Step Down Amid Power Struggle
On April 22, MTN reported that HYBE had begun to exercise its rights as shareholders of ADOR. According to the report, HYBE requested a shareholders meeting as its latest effort in a power struggle against ADOR’s current board of directors, including the CEO Min Hee Jin.
This kicked off the battle between HYBE and Min Hee Jin that snowballed into something much, much larger than K-Pop fans would have ever imagined.
Dispatch Unveils Apink Bomi’s 8-Year Relationship
Dispatch Reveals Top Second-Generation Idol Has Been Dating Producer For 8 Years
On April 23, Dispatch revealed that Apink‘s Bomi and HIGHUP Entertainment‘s producer Rado have been dating since 2017 after a mutual interest in music brought them together.
Following the Dispatch report, Bomi left a handwritten letter for her fans via the official fan cafe both confirming the relationship and asking the fans for their blessing.
| Apink Fan Cafe
“Dear Pandas… I’m concerned that the news might have surprised and/or hurt the fans. I apologize for the unexpected reveal. But I did want to address the news and talk to Pandas about it in person, so I’ve decided to pen this letter!
After working on several songs together, I’ve developed feelings for Rado. We started seeing each other and have been in a relationship since. I’m glad to have met someone wise and clever, especially when I was young and clueless. He has helped me grow into a healthier and more mature human being. Writing about him makes me feel a bit nervous and worried… but I respect whatever reaction Pandas might have about this, and I will accept all responses to be in my best interest and as your love and support for me.
This doesn’t change anything. I’m still the same Bomi who is honest and positive, and I promise to continue being the best version of myself for you all. Thank you, I’m sorry, and I love you all.”
— Bomi
Bomi’s management, CHOI Creative Lab, commented that it is difficult to confirm whether the couple will be getting married soon as that is personal matter.
Shots Fired At ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin’s Frenzied Press Conference
ADOR’s Min Hee Jin Immediately Takes A Shot At HYBE To Start Off Her Press Conference
On April 25, ADOR’s CEO Min Hee Jin held a press conference addressing the speculations that have sparked since the initial news report on April 22.
All of Min Hee Jin’s behavior at the conference, from how she dressed to how she spoke, went mega-viral online—throwing K-Pop fans into a craze. Multiple issues across HYBE’s business operations have been unveiled.
As of April 26, HYBE issued an official statement addressing ADOR Min Hee Jin‘s press conference held on the day prior. The following is the full translation of HYBE’s statement.
Full Translation Of HYBE’s Statement In Response to ADOR Min Hee Jin’s Press Conference
K-Pop Idols Reported To Be Detained And Under Investigation In Bali
On April 26, according to an exclusive report from SPOTV, the cast and crew of Pick Me Trip In Bali were detained in Bali after local authorities discovered the production team was filming without proper permission. The cast and crew, which included Girls’ Generation‘s Hyoyeon, Apink‘s Bomi, Secret Number‘s Dita, and former I.O.I member Im Nayoung, arrived in Bali on April 21 and were scheduled to leave on April 25. However, their departure from Bali was blocked by authorities as they did not have proper permission to film.
News1 then reported as of April 27 that most of the cast, excluding those with additional personal schedules, were preparing to return home. Some were scheduled to enter through Incheon International Airport on the morning of April 27. The crew—including the responsible production director—was said to remain under investigation for the charge of filming without prior permission. The billed fine for the unauthorized filming is reported to be around ₩100 million KRW (about $72,600 USD).
“Pick Me Trip” Idols In Bali Released From Investigation, Crew Still Detained
HYBE Accused of Being Involved With A Cult
HYBE Accused of Cult Association: Fan-Found “Evidences” Fuel Conspiracies
On April 27, speculations of HYBE’s involvement with the South Korean Dahn World cult, founded by Ilchi Lee, took over the internet. The pieces of “evidence” gathered by Koreans ranged from the cult’s association with the university from where BTS members earned their degrees to the cult’s teachings alleged to be shared in subliminal messages across HYBE artists’ music.
Some connections have been debunked and disregarded, while others have been deemed questionable enough to keep tracking.
As of April 28, more theories have emerged: That ADOR‘s CEO Min Hee Jin and NewJeans tried to fight back against Bang Si Hyuk’s cult activism in the company.
