Numerous fans were put in a state of shock after Cube Entertainment revealed Saturday that Soojin is officially leaving (G)I-DLE. The confirmation was made approximately six months after the K-pop idol's alleged bullying controversy made rounds online.
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Soojin Is No Longer Part Of (G)I-DLE
Cube Entertainment, which is the talent agency of (G)I-DLE, made an official statement announcing the departure of Soojin from the K-pop group on August 14. The label said:
"As of today, it's been decided Soojin will withdraw from the team," adding that (G)I-DLE will continue as a 5-member group. In the future, (G)I-DLE will continue their activities in a 5-member system, and we'll continue to support and do our best to help (G)I-DLE show more mature music and performances."
Soojin previously denied the accusations of bullying. Cube Entertainment also came to the K-pop idol's rescue and even filed a lawsuit against the false allegations. However, things worsened after actress Seo Shin Ae, who is a former classmate of Soojin, also spoke up about the bullying accusations.
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In a statement she wrote on Instagram, Seo Shin Ae reminisced the time when she was attending Wawoo Middle School with Soojin. A part of her statement read:
"The individual who spoke of me always mocked and cursed at me for 2 years with her 'group' on the way to school, during breaks in the hallways, in the cafeteria, everyday, everywhere, saying, 'She's not even pretty so how is she a celebrity?', 'Her fame is already a thing of the past', 'No wonder she's an outcast', 'I don't know why the teachers always treat her so specially', repeatedly harassing me verbally. Sure, it could just have been ignorant youth and jealousy, and they could have uttered those words without any second thought. But those words are still deeply ingrained in my heart as scars until today. The scars that accumulated back then have become a large bruise, and I eventually grew to fear people. Those fears then grew into trauma, changing me into an introvert and hindering my advancement into high school. As a result of those experiences, I learned that mental and emotional abuse can have a lasting effect on a person, just as much as physical abuse can."
Soojin and Cube Entertainment have not responded to Seo Shin Ae's revelation. Devoted followers of the former (G)I-DLE member were quick to react to the South Korean actress' statement, with some saying that she is ruining the future of Soojin.
Netizens Slam Seo Shin Ae Following Soojin's Exit From (G)I-DLE
Shortly after Cube Entertainment announced the departure of Soojin from (G)I-DLE, devoted supporters of the K-pop idol bombarded the YouTube channel of Seo Shin Ae with comments and accused her of destroying their bias' future.
Fans commented on the recent YouTube video of Seo Shin Ae, when she went to Busan and graced the Busan International Kids & Youth Film Festival (BIKY). Some commenters asked Shin Ae if she is now happy that Soojin would no longer be performing as a member of (G)I-DLE.
One netizen said Seo Shin Ae is not the only victim as she also ruined the life of Soojin. "Why are you hurting our Soojin. You're horrible," the YouTube user wrote, as per All Kpop. Other fans of the (G)I-DLE ex-member also wrote:
"Someone's future just got ruined by you."
"You're so shameless."
"Are you proud of ruining someone's career for the rest of their life."
"You are not the only victim here."
Seo Shin Ae and her camp have yet to respond to these harsh comments. Soojin, for her part, has yet to comment on her unexpected departure from (G)I-DLE.
Will Soojin Become A Solo Artist After (G)I-DLE Exit?
It remains unclear as to what Soojin's next move would be. However, there is a huge possibility that she would come back to the entertainment scene as a solo artist following her exit from (G)I-DLE.
For starters, Soojin was a member of the K-pop girl group Vividiva when she was still under DN Entertainment. At the time, she used her stage name N.Na and took part in numerous performances and photoshoots of the said all-female band.
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Soojin left Vividiva in 2015 and became a trainee at Cube Entertainment in 2016. She appeared on the solo music videos of Soyeon for the tracks "Idle Song" and Jelly" as an unidentified dancer who sported a mask.
In October 2020, Glance TV introduced Soojin as one of the hosts of the fashion show titled Minnie Soojin's I'm THE TREND. Alongside Minnie, Soojin shared styling secrets, shopping tips, and fashion outfits.
Cube Entertainment revealed that (G)I-DLE will continue its activities sans Soojin after her withdrawal from the popular K-pop group. So, avid followers of the K-pop idol should watch out for her next career move.
Stay tuned to EpicStream for the latest news and updates about Soojin!
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