[TW/CW: Mentions of bullying, suicide, and self-harm]
On Sunday, Feb. 28, a post made by an anonymous user claiming to be former APRIL member Hyunjoo's brother is going viral, as it claims she left the group due to being bullied by the members. Keep on reading to learn more.
User Claims to be Former APRIL Hyunjoo's Brother + Says the Group Bullied Her
An anonymous post was made to an online community forum. In the post, they claim to be former APRIL member Hyunjoo's younger brother. Then they allege that Hyunjoo left the group because she was harassed and bullied by the group. She was allegedly bullied to the point that she wanted to take her own life.
He also claim that the agency made her say that she left the group to focus on her acting career when that was not the reason. The APRIL members allegedly never apologized to Hyunjoo.
Read their post here:
"Hello. I am the younger brother of former APRIL member Hyunjoo.
I have wanted to reveal the truth for years, but I held myself back for Hyunjoo's future. But now, I think I need to be brave and speak up, which is why I am posting this.
My sister was said to have left APRIL to focus on her acting career, but that is a lie. She was extremely harassed and bullied within the group, and she suffered breathing difficulties and panic attacks because of it. Eventually, she even attempted to take her own life.
Even just thinking back to those times, my parents and I still feel like our hearts are going to be ripped out of our chests.
Since Hyunjoo was leaving APRIL, the agency sent her a letter informing her that the reason she would be leaving the group was so that she could focus on acting, and used that as their reason for her departure.
At the time, even my family was unaware of the situation. Everyone thought it was what Hyunjoo wanted to do and that it was the right decision.
However, after writing the letter, my sister was made out to be a person who betrayed her group for her own benefit and became a victim of malicious comments that are so hard to stomach. After that, she never received any apologies from the APRIL members. Instead, some members of the group even laughed at our mother when they saw her visiting the company.
Even to this day, Hyunjoo is working hard in her career. Because of that, I held myself back in case I would damage her reputation. I am telling you all this now because I cannot bear to watch the members, who are living well, continue on as if they never did anything.
Even though I am having a hard tie, I am more angry and upset whenever I think about how my sister must have felt.
I do not want to see them perform anymore. I hope they stop appearing on broadcasts and reminding my family about that time. I do not want to see my older sister, Hyunjoo, having a hard time anymore."
DSP Media Responds to the APRIL Bullying Allegations
As the netizen's claims continue to go viral, APRIL's label, DSP Media, stated that they are investigating the authenticity of the post. They have yet to release an official statement on the matter.
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Written by Alexa Lewis
