[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Bullying, Self-Harm]
Before K-pop idols can debut in a team, they are undergoing trainings and assessments along other trainees to improve their skills and prepare them for life in the K-pop industry. However, hardships, obstacles, and pressure are always present during the training period, but luckily, trainees got other trainees' shoulder to lean on and get through with it, eventually forming a "family" within them, until they can finally debut together.
However, this is not the scenario for some K-pop idols, for aside from the harsh life in the music world, their co-members allegedly added to their traumatic experience as K-pop idols.
These following K-pop idols have spoken that they were bullied by their co-members during their active promotion in the industry, while some were only speculations of K-pop fans and netizens.
1. Former AOA Mina
Mina, a former AOA member, revealed on her Instagram account last July, that she was a victim of bullying. What is more shocking is that she confessed that her co-member, Jimin, was actually the bully, while the rest, including Seolhyun and Chanmi, were bystanders.
On her post, she talked about being in pain and suffering for ten long years due to bullying, that's why she attempted to take her own life, multiple times. Currently, she decided to delete her account and heal with her family.
Read More Here: Former AOA Mina Confesses She Was Bullied for 10 Years Which Made Her Leave the Group
2. ANS Haena
On August, Haena, member of ANS, worry fans and netizens after her revelation that she is currently suffering due to bullying. Haena didn't directly press the members, but according to her lengthy posts (now deleted) via Koreaboo, Haena insinuates that she's being left out by her members.
On pannative translation, Haena revealed that in the dorm, "you" (allegedly referring to her co-members), didn't include her on anything that they are doing because she's a minor. They also told Haena painful and abusive words.
However, netizens and updates from online Korean community platforms are clearing that Haena is apparently responding to an anonymous post, (refer HERE) and some are also speculating that the female idol is talking about being mistreated by the company/staffs.
3. Former iLUV Minah
According to Soompi, Minah came out on her Instagram account, revealing that she left the company and left a cryptic post of being bullied by co-members.
This is after her post on July 13, opening about her mental health and that she's suffering from panic disorder insomnia and depression. Later on, she revealed on July 15 that her former company called her and to keep it as a secret. WKS ENE immediately responded to the claims and denied the accusations of mistreatment, involving bullying from members. But Minah posted another message, confirming that members are the reason why she's having a hard time and almost took her own life.
For further information, read here: Former Girl Group Member Reveals Being Bullied By Members and Was Forced to Watch Their Sex Videos
4. Former S#ARP Member
In 2002, the co-ed group S#ARP was led to their disbandment after getting caught in a bullying controversy. The group was created by member Seo Jiyoung's family, which is one of the wealthiest families during that time in the industry. However, it was revealed that Jiyoung was not happy being together with Jihye, her co-member, that's why she bullied her constantly until the controversy sparked after having an altercatiion in an elevator, before their performance on KBS' Music Bank.
Channel Korea revealed some of the accusations being thrown to each other during their press conferences. Still, the "biggest bullying scandal during the first generation of K-pop" ended the members reconciling up, and leading their own paths after disbandment.
5. Former Fiestar Cheska
Former Fiestar Cheska also confessed on her Twitch Channel that she was a victim of bullying, particularly by her co-members, Jei and Yezi. She talked about fighting over pointless things, but her co-members won't talk to her even after saying sorry first.
6. T-ara Hwayoung
T-ara Hwayoung was allegedly bullied by her co-members way back in 2012, after not attending on their Japan concert due to her injury. The controversy then sparked because of misunderstanding and misinterpretation, rooting to the other members SNS post, allegedly referring to Hwayoung's "lack of will" indirectly. Seeing the idol crying outside Music Bank's waiting room made it more complicated. Netizens then started compiling "proofs," but Hwayoung who later on stepped down from the group confirmed that the rumor is not true and that co-members did not bully her.
