Is just about anyone allowed to debut in kpop these days?

News has just recently been released that Seo Jisoo from Woollim’s new girl group, LOVELYZ, has done illegal activity when she was pre-debut. These activities include dating women and secretly filming them making love, then spreading the videos online and to her lover’s work company; roleplaying as Korean idol group members and saying she wants to rape others; abusing animals; taking pictures of her lovers naked, and much more.

Although Woollim has currently denied all rumours, the individual who was uploading and sharing this information continued to show more evidence supporting the claim. The individual, who attempted to commit suicide after these occurrences with the LOVELYZ member, uploaded photos of Seo Jisoo that cannot be found anywhere else on the internet.

Seeing as many rumours are spread after idols debut in the current era of kpop, is just about anyone allowed to debut, regardless of their background? Can we forgive the idols for what they have done, just because they are supposedly ‘famous’ now? Or do we not back down, and try and make their life a living hell for what they’ve done in the past?

Orange Caramel’s Nana is known for being an iljin in the past – someone who drinks, does drugs, bullies and physically abuses others – but she has said that what’s in the past is in the past. DMTN was caught dealing marijuana, which could’ve been something he has been doing before debut, but he was sent back to America, rather than being sentenced to the previously intended jail time in Korea.

People change, but that doesn’t change their actions.

What are your thoughts?

Goodbye, 2014: A Kpop Year In Review

Many of us (or the majority of us) may say that 2014 was a horrible year. I know it also irks the majority of us when people say things like, "that event has made this year in kpop so bad!" when not everything is about kpop, my friends! Major events happened this last year and it seemed like something new was coming afloat every single day. 

Some events acted as if they were attracted to repetition, but couldn't settle on just one person. Leaving groups and filing lawsuits looked to be a trend in 2014: EXO's Kris and Luhan, f(x)'s Sulli, SNSD's Jessica, B.A.P, and the list goes on. Does this mean that idols have finally stood their ground and decided that enough is enough, or have companies become weaker since the olden days? You know, I've been thinking that the world of kpop is different to when I first joined. 

When I first became interested in kpop, idols were not allowed anywhere near SNS except for places where it seemed like everything was being controlled, like me2day, which doesn't even exist anymore. These days, it seems like they are doing whatever they feel like - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. I've currently got f(x)'s Amber, miss A's Min, and BTOB's Peniel on Snapchat right now, too. Isn't that crazy? Not that I'm complaining - I much prefer idols seeming like humans rather than robots, and it's nice to see their interactions and gather information on friendship groups and cliques.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, filing lawsuits and all that jazz. That brings me to my next point: dating scandals! The world became much freer regarding dating in 2014. Or, more tolerant. See: Yoona and Lee Seung Gi, Nichkhun and Tiffany, Sulli and Choiza, Baekhyun and Taeyeon. Although netizens are always bound to leave their hateful comments on provocative articles, the buzz only appeared when the articles were posted and nobody really cared after that. So, there's something good.

2NE1's Bom's drug scandal comes next... This event has not been forgotten even in the new year. After disappearing from broadcasts of Roommate to reflect and then going to concerts overseas, acting like Korea doesn't exist, netizens were fuming at this. I must say I didn't care that much about it overall because it was so far in the past, but I am sad that Roommate Season 1 went downhill after she left. They weren't very far from the bottom of the hill while she was there either, but she was basically the life of the party in that mansion and started a domino effect of people realising how boring it was there after she left.

Now, of course, that brings me to the next thing: A.KOR Kemy's diss track! I must say, this was a pretty clever, strategic marketing tactic. If not for this rapping diss track, I would have no idea who Kemy nor A.KOR is - I may just think they are typos of Kent and Acorn. I still think dissing your seniors is a bit harsh but poor lil Kemy probably thought nobody would see it because A.KOR were nugus...

The scandal about miss A's Suzy being sexually harassed was quite big, and it showed how largely netizens can react even after having no steady evidence. Although, I guess it's a good thing that they reacted harshly, giving strong criticism, towards something that was associated with sexual harassment. 

Two of the biggest things in kpop that have to do with the legal system of Korea and the differences between cases are Kim Hyun Joong's abuse case and the case of Lee Byung Hun and his two blackmailers, GLAM's Dahee and the model nobody really knows. Of course, Kim Hyun Joong's case is much worse as he was physically abusing his girlfriend(?) for a long period of time, while the Dahee and LBH thing was merely blackmail of a video. But, of course, who got a worse sentence? Dahee. Yep. Thanks Korea.

So, about WINNER's Taehyun being an iljin. That news seemed to fall as fast as it rose. Is it because he's from YG? Do people not care about other people being iljins anymore? From what I've seen, being an iljin is a huge deal in Korea because you're a horrible person. I know that people change and your past doesn't, but he does seem to be a little bit of a different person now, even if he does seem weird still.

The Sewol Ferry is something that didn't exactly have anything to do with kpop, but it was a horrible event all on its own. I reflect back on that period of time and it is eerie - it's as if the whole of Korea went silent for a month. Thinking about the event makes me shiver and feel uneasy, as I don't understand how someone could allow that to happen to so many people. The poor children who had their whole lives in front of them, and were so excited for their relaxing trip away from all the stress and troubles that they usually had to face. I just cannot think about it. 

There is another thing that I, and a lot of the world, will not forget.

The tragic car accident of Ladies' Code, which resulted in the death of Eunbi and Rise and the critical condition of Ashley, Zuny, and Sojung. I think about the joyful, energetic, happy Eunbi and Rise every day and wish that they are doing well wherever they are now. I hope they know that there are so many people who will never forget them, and that they made an impact on many people's lives. I remember watching the stages for So Wonderful promotions every time they were on, and admiring how great their performance was. Their performances weren't the only thing that shined, though - the beauty that they held inside and out was also radiant. It still hasn't sunk into my mind that they are truly gone, and I believe they are out there somewhere wishing that everyone would celebrate their lives.

Rest in peace to those who couldn't make it to 2015 with us. You deserved so much more than what you received, and I wish I could give that to you.


Straying away from the things that make me cry, I cannot remember much else on account of the fact that I inherited the memory of a goldfish from my mother. There were many great debuts and comebacks, and there were many that weren't so great. There were variety shows, reality shows, dramas, and all the rest of it.

2014 wasn't the best year, but I think we can definitely make 2015 better.

Goodbye, 2014.