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K-Pop Fan Atticarticle:

“Netizens React as an Alleged Case of a Celebrity’s Trainee Bullying Is Brought into Light”

Netizens are abuzz about an anonymous post claiming that a big rookie celebrity (Celebrity A) may have bullied another (Celebrity B) during their trainee years!

Neither celebrity was named, but there’s speculation that Celebrity A may be the rookie actress Shin Hyeri, who has been getting more attention for her audience-pleasing supporting role in one of the hottest K-dramas of the year,Youthful Exchange. If Celebrity A is Shin Hyeri, many are guessing that Celebrity B would be Kim Ana, who has been the nation’s princess ever since she won first place in the wildly popular audition programCitizen Producer, the show that gave both Shin Hyeri and Kim Ana their start when they were chosen as two of the nine girls to debut as Helloglow under CDB Entertainment Group (the media company that producedCitizen Producerfor HBS). The girl group released multiple hits, earning them many rookie-of-the-year awards—until their unfortunate early disbandment due to a voting scandal that hit HBS almost a year after Helloglow’s debut.

Though Shin Hyeri finished in third place inCiPro, many allege that said voting scandal means she should never have debuted in Helloglow and that manipulation of the votes was specifically for her benefit. Even her casting inCiProseemed to be a publicity stunt as she is the younger sister of Hyejun from the popular boy group AX1S (who are currently promoting their comeback single, which hit #1 on the Oricon, Melon, and Circle charts). This is one of many alleged scandals attached to Shin Hyeri in her short career, leading to netizens branding her as the “scandal princess.”

The now-viral post claims that Celebrity A broke into Celebrity B’s phone and texted a boy trainee inappropriate pictures from her photo roll.

But the reason many believe Celebrity A to be Shin Hyeri specifically is because of the allegations accusing Celebrity A of hiding Celebrity B’s costume before an evaluation. Fans might remember that during one of the evaluations onCiPro, Kim Ana was late, claiming it was due to a lost costume. Though Shin Hyeri disputed it, many fans did blame her for hiding the costume, as she was roommates with Kim Ana at the time.

Though Shin Hyeri has found some success in her re-debut as an actress. These allegations of bullying could have a ripple effect as Korea takes bullying accusations seriously. Many celebrities have taken forced breaks after such allegations, with some even made to retire from the entertainment industry entirely. Netizens have started tagging Shin Hyeri’s agency in criticisms against the rookie actress.

Meanwhile, Shin Hyeri is scheduled to be the cohost of the midsummer K-pop festival with fan favorite Moonster of the mega boy-group WDB.

WDB has had their share of scandals recently with the dating reveal of leader JD, as well as his injury during tour leading to his current break from all scheduled activities. Plus, maknae Robbie being spotted in public with his rumored non-celebrity girlfriend.

Whether these rumors about Shin Hyeri are true, netizens are already very curious to see what happens during the live-cast of the midsummer festival.

Growing up, I hated when people lied.

Whether it was my brother laying the blame for a broken glass on me, or Mom telling our halmeoni we couldn’t visit for the holidays because I had a nonexistent school event, or even a total stranger claiming they were ahead of you in line for the register. It always bothered me when others lied.

Which is why I probably shouldn’t have debuted as an idol.

All we’re taught is how to lie.

Lie that we’re perfect role models who only know training and practice rooms.

Lie that we are naturally beautiful even when half of us have gotten some kind of procedure.

Lie that we all like one another, when I know many of the idols I debuted with hate each other’s guts.

Everyone lies in this industry.

And even with all the rampant lies, people will still believe anything.

Which is why I’m in handroll mode, blanket tight around me.

The problem with the most recent gossip article about me is that it’s not 100 percent lies. Which is how they get you. They tell a few known truths peppered in with the gossip and the rumors. And people assume, since they know one to be true, they all must be.

Yes, I am the unfortunate owner of the nickname “scandal princess.” And it did all stem from my time onCitizen Producer. But I definitely didnottext a boy from Kim Ana’s phone when we were trainees. And I worked my ass off and earned my way into Helloglow fair and square.

But the worst things are the half-truths. The things that look bad because they don’t have the full story. And I can never tell it, not now. Because I’ll be accused of making it up to save face, even if all I tell is the truth. Finally.

I roll over to shove my face into my pillow and let out a strangled scream. Instead of releasing the tension it just brings my tears closer to the surface. So, I keep my face pressed tightly to the pillow to catch them so they don’t fall on my face and make it all puffy. I still have an appearance today.

I hear the beep of the door lock a second before Min Sohee’s singsong voice calls out. “Eonniii! Where are youuu?”

I don’t reply. I know she’ll find me anyway.

The trainee dorms are empty right now except for Sohee and me. And soon she will be gone too.

After Helloglow disbanded last year, Sohee and I moved back into Bright Star’s trainee dorms. We commiserated over our time in the group, both good and bad. Well, Sohee had most of the good stuff and I had most of the bad. But we went through it together, and that’s what counts. She’s never asked me if any of the rumors or gossip are true.

Now Sohee is about to re-debut in Bright Star Entertainment’s first girl group, Kastor. And they’re starting to film their pre-debut show this week, so the company is making her move in with her members.