[Trigger Warning/Content Warning: Bullying, School Violence]
SEVENTEEN Mingyu's management agency, Pledis Entertainment, has released an update about the recent school bullying accusations against the male idol. In the statement, the company also announced that Mingyu will be taking a temporary break from promotional activities.
SEVENTEEN Mingyu Accused of Bullying Students during His Middle-School Days
On Feb. 21, claims of school bullying against the K-pop idol were raised in a popular online community by assumed alumni of the same middle school SEVENTEEN Mingyu attended. The accuser stated that the "Left & Right" singer was part of an "iljin" group during his middle-school days - "iljin" is a term used to people who bully or harass other people. Following the accusations, Pledis Entertainment denied the rumors.
RELATED: SEVENTEEN Mingyu Accused of School Bullying + Pledis Entertainment Denies Rumors
A few days after, an alleged former classmate of SEVENTEEN Mingyu stepped forward to say that the artist bullied a classmate with disabilities. The netizen shared details of how the singer mistreated the student with autism, and also uploaded screenshots of the conversation between him and another victim of SEVENTEEN's rapper as well as a message exchange between other victims.
Apart from that, Kim Mingyu was also accused of sexual harassment after another alleged former classmate posted evidence online. The anonymous person said that the idol would make sexual jokes at the seat where she was sitting either there was a teacher present or none.
Pledis Entertainment Gives Update about the School Bullying Controversy of SEVENTEEN Mingyu
The Korean company first apologized and explained why it took them some time before they issued a response regarding the matter. They said that there were differences between the information posted online and what the SEVENTEEN member said to them.
RELATED: SEVENTEEN Mingyu Accused of Bullying a Classmate with Disabilities
Pledis Entertainment then mentioned the part where they reached out to the people involved in the situation through various methods to find out the truth. They are still in the process of contacting some of the individuals, although they were able to speak with numerous acquaintances of Kim Mingyu as well as his classmates.
The label first denied the claim about the "Home;Run" singer abusing a classmate with a disability. They said that SEVENTEEN Mingyu was able to identify the person in the post as the victim and that they were able to discuss the issue with this person's mother.
According to the alleged victim's mother, the K-pop idol and her child are on good terms, and she remembers the names of the students who abused her child in school. The victim also confirmed that the artist didn't abuse him.
READ MORE HERE: SEVENTEEN Mingyu Ex- Schoolmate Defends the Idol from School Bullying Allegation + Reveals His True Personality
While the accusation about bullying a student with autism has been cleared, the agency said that they are still examining the other issues involving the SEVENTEEN member. However, they are having trouble verifying the facts since some accusers have expressed their desire not to be contacted and the identities of the original posters are hard to determine.
But then again, Pledis Entertainment stated that they are always willing to meet them to examine the details and carry out the necessary process to solve the matter. SEVENTEEN Mingyu has also expressed his apology for causing concern to all the fans and will be taking a temporary break. Additionally, the company asked for understanding as verifying the truth is not an easy process and will take time. Hence, they cannot consider any decision that may affect the entire life of their artist.
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Written by Mhaliya Scott
