(G)I-DLE are currently serving as goodwin ambassadors for Seoul City. However, following member Soojin's school violence controversy, the public has pressed on the city to reconsider the group as their representative. Seoul City has since released a statement on the matter.
Seoul City Will Not Be Removing (G)I-DLE as Ambassadors + To Observe Soojin's School Bullying Controversy Instead
The City of Seoul revealed to the Korean news outlet, Herald Pop, that they would choose to observe the situation concerning (G)I-DLE's ambassadorship. They are still keeping the possibility of the girl group maintaining their ambassadorship open and are awaiting further developments on Soojin's alleged school violence allegations.
The representative stated that the situation is currently under review and is keeping an eye on it to see if the allegations are true rather than dismissing the group immediately. Currently, the billboard that features all six members of (G)I-DLE at the Seoul City Hall Metro Station has not been remove, as the station is still under construction. There are plans to replace the billboard after construction is complete by Jul. 2021.
(G)I-DLE's ambassadorship with Seoul City is scheduled to end on Dec. 22. Other celebrities who are ambassadors of Seoul City include Girl's Day member Yura and actress Park Jin Hee.
Soojin to Not Be Included in (G)I-DLE's Upcoming Single
On Apr. 19, it was revealed that (G) I-DLE's upcoming single, "Last Dance (Prod. GroovyRoom)," was re-recorded not to include Soojin in the song. Due to the ongoing school violence controversy, it was decided that the members would redistribute the lines and re-record the song.
The music video was re-edited to minimize scenes that include Soojin. As it was filmed back in Feb. 2021, it would be too difficult to re-film the video due to financial reasons and production issues. Instead, the pictorial and behind-the-scenes videos will all be edited to only showcase the five active members of (G)I-DLE.
"Last Dance (Prod. GroovyRoom)" is scheduled to be released by the end of Apr. 2021. The track is a special song for the K-pop fan platform, UNIVERSE.
ALSO READ: (G)I-DLE’s New Song to Not Include Soojin Following School Violence Allegations
The School Violence Allegations Against (G)I-DLE's Soojin
On Feb. 2021, (G)I-DLE member Soojin was accused of bullying her fellow students, dressing inappropriately at school, stealing people's money and uniform, hanging out with older men, smoking, and drinking underage. The person who first accused the (G)I-DLE member claimed that Soojin slapped her younger sister and instigated bullying through group chats.
After the rumors started making their rounds, Seo Shin Ae shared a cryptic Instagram Story, only causing the controversy to grow. It was being speculated that Seo Shin Ae was a victim of Soojin's bullying.
Soojin released a letter to her fans, admitting that she dressed inappropriately and smoked out of curiosity but denied all other accusations made against her.
Soojin has additionally been accused of being a leader of an iljin group. On Instagram, Seo Shin continued to post cryptic posts and Instagram Stories, only fuelling the rumors that she was bullied by Soojin.
Soojin released a second detailed explanation, countering all the school violence claims made against her and urging Seo Shin Ae to release a statement on the situation, stating that she had never spoken to Seo Shin Ae and did not bully her.
Seo Shin Ae released a statement through an Instagram post detailing the bullying she received from Soojin. She acknowledges that she has never spoken to Soojin because the (G)I-DLE member one-sidedly verbally abused her.
Soojin has not released a statement following Seo Shin Ae's tell-all.
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Written by Alexa Lewis
