Behind the April Scandal: Did Lee Naeun Really Bully Lee Hyunjoo? Staff Speak Out

On September 26 KST, media outlet Sports Kyeonghyang published an exclusive interview with five former staff members who worked with K-pop girl group April during their promotional activities. The staff members—identified as 'A', a representative of DSP Media; 'B', a former manager for April; 'C' and 'D', both hair designers; and 'E', another representative from DSP—have stepped forward to defend Lee Naeun against allegations of bullying her former group member, Lee Hyunjoo.

What Did the Former Staff Claim?

The five staff members firmly denied the accusations, stating that Lee Naeun did not lead or participate in any bullying. 'B', a former manager, downplayed several incidents involving Lee Hyunjoo, such as the "shoe," "tumbler," and "kimbap" controversies, describing them as insignificant. They claimed no one considered these events serious enough to address at the time.

'D', one of the hair designers, added that while tensions existed in the group, these were more about maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict with Lee Hyunjoo, who was known to skip schedules or arrive late. According to 'E', Lee Hyunjoo was an older member (unnie) to most of the group, and the April members did not speak badly of her.

When Did the Controversy Resurface?

The bullying allegations resurfaced recently after Lee Naeun appeared on a popular YouTuber's channel, KwakTube. Following her appearance, social media was flooded with criticism, with many accusing Naeun of attempting to brush off the controversy as something from the past. Some netizens criticized KwakTube for allegedly defending Naeun, despite his personal experiences as a bullying victim. This brought renewed attention to the scandal, raising questions about Naeun’s future in entertainment.

Where Did the Testimonies Come From?

The testimonies defending Naeun were given in an exclusive interview with Sports Kyeonghyang. The five staff members who had worked closely with both Naeun and Hyunjoo during their time in April felt compelled to share their side of the story in light of the growing backlash.

Why Are These Allegations Significant?

The accusations against Lee Naeun have had a lasting impact on her career and public image. Bullying is a serious issue, particularly in the K-pop industry, where many idols face scrutiny for their behavior. Despite the testimonies from former staff members defending Naeun, skepticism remains. Some netizens have pointed out that previous court rulings in defamation lawsuits filed by April members against Lee Hyunjoo did not fully support Naeun’s defense.

The court had previously ruled that it was difficult to definitively prove whether the accusations were true or false, given the subjective nature of personal feelings and experiences. Moreover, the court questioned the credibility of the DSP Media staff members who defended April’s members due to their potential biases. On the other hand, it accepted evidence from Lee Hyunjoo’s side, including diary entries and testimonies from trainees.

How Did the Public React?

Despite the efforts of the former staff members to defend Lee Naeun, many netizens responded with skepticism. Some accused the witnesses of engaging in "media play" to restore Naeun’s image. Others highlighted the court’s dismissal of certain testimonies in previous legal proceedings, adding to doubts about the credibility of the current statements.

The public remains divided on the issue, with some expressing support for Naeun, while others continue to side with Lee Hyunjoo and question the motives behind the recent testimonies.v The bullying controversy surrounding Lee Naeun and Lee Hyunjoo continues to generate heated discussions among fans and netizens. While former staff members have stepped forward to defend Naeun’s actions, the skepticism around these statements suggests that the issue is far from resolved. As more information comes to light, both sides of the story will continue to be scrutinized. For now, the controversy remains a significant obstacle to Naeun’s return to the entertainment industry, with her image still under intense public scrutiny.