The Horrific K-Pop Bullying Scandal That Stunned The Industry

컨텐츠 정보

본문

K-Pop groups often appear to have extremely close bonds of friendship among the members of the groups. Groups often talk about their fights with each other in comedic ways and they are often not about anything serious.

In the rare instances where bigger issues like bullying and harassment arise, massive problems can come up for the group including disbandment. That is exactly what happened in the terrible bullying case of first-generation group S#arp.

1641854653

Sharp, stylized as S#arp, is most well remembered as a four-membered co-ed group. The group originally debuted as five in November 1998 with their first album The S#arp. Seo Jiyoung, Jang Suk Hyun, John Kim, Oh Hee Jong and Lee Jihye were in this original line-up.

9755019

During the promotions of their first album, an additional member named Chris was added to the line-up and S#arp continued promotions as a six-membered group.

After a few more member changes, including John Kim leaving and Sori joining, the group saw success at a time when most groups dominating the music scene were single-sex groups like Sechs Kies, g.o.d., H.O.T, and S.E.S. The group’s arguably most famous and most covered track, “My Lips…Warm Like Coffee” was released in 2002 on their album Style.

R-18690760-1620793718-1573S#arp Style album cover.

While the group was growing in success, there were extreme issues going on between the members of the group, specifically Lee Jihye and Seo Jiyoung. S#arp was created by Seo Jiyoung’s family and she had planned on filling the group with friends. These plans changed when Lee Jihye was added to the group.

Seo-Ji-young-news.naver_.com_Seo Jiyoung

lee-ji-hyeLee Jihye

Lee Jihye was added to the group through auditions based on her talent and it is said that Seo Jiyoung’s jealousy is what caused the initial issues between the two.  When it became clear that Lee Jihye would not be removed from the group, Seo Jiyoung began physically harassing Lee Jihye. In an interview 15 years later, Lee Jihye could not recall memories from the time without crying.

lee-ji-hye-human-documentary1-e1494146167254

According to Lee Jihye, Seo Jiyoung would attack her almost daily, physically and verbally abusing her. While there are many instances of bullying between members of K-Pop groups, Seo Jiyoung took her abuse to the next level. Seo Jiyoung was dating actor Ryu Si Won, known for his role in Good Bye Dear Wife, at the time and allegedly invited him to slap and berate Lee Jihye as well.

Screen Shot 2022-07-28 at 11.36.10 AMSeo Jiyoung (left) and Ryu Si Won (right).

The event that led to the group’s demise took place in October 2002 at KBS’s Music Bank. Seo Jiyoung reportedly called Lee Jihye names causing the two to begin fighting in an elevator. After being separated to cool off, it seemed as though that might have been the end of it. The next day, however, Seo Jiyoung’s mother allegedly confronted and assaulted Lee Jihye physically and verbally.

sjy3Lee Jihye crying during the press conference.

The group held a press conference where the two explained what happened from their point of view. Seo Jiyoung gave an altered account of what happened where she placed the blame heavily on Lee Jihye.

“According to what [Jihye] unnie said in the article, she claims she only hit me a few times. Of course, I wasn’t able to focus fully at the time, but she hit me using her fists and hands at least 7 to 8 times. She hit me on my face, head, and neck. While using extreme curse words, she grabbed my hair and shook me.”

— Seo Jiyoung

Your browser does not support video.

Most importantly, Seo Jiyoung denied that she instigated the matter between the two. The group’s manager was present at the time of the incident and claimed that another witness heard Seo Jiyoung insulting Lee Jihye, going directly against what she had just stated. At this point of the press conference, Seo Jiyoung stands and attempts to walk away.

Your browser does not support video.

After this press conference, the public’s opinion of Seo Jiyoung fell dramatically, and the group’s disbandment was the best option for all involved. Lee Jihye continued her career as a popular solo artist and saw such success that health issues led to a hospital stay while promoting her song “Love Me, Love Me.” Seo Jiyoung famously visited her at the hospital and gifted her white chrysanthemums, a flower traditionally used for the dead.

sjy4

It took the group 11 years to finally meet up and attempt a reconciliation, and according to Jang Suk Hyun, it took around an hour of silence for the members to begin opening up. Jihye documented their meet-up on her Twitter account, tweeting a photo where the four members seemed to be in good spirits.

Lee Jihye has since branched into acting and opened a YouTube channel where she shares covers and updates on her life. She also has appeared on a number of variety shows, including Master of The House where she directly name-dropped Seo Jiyoung as the cause for S#arp’s disbandment.

Your browser does not support video.| sNack!/YouTube

Seo Jiyoung also pursued a solo career and released two albums and appeared in the K-Drama Pianissimo in 2011. She is currently not active as an entertainer and has settled into family life after marrying a non-celebrity in 2011.

seojiyoung1-873426-1368186004_m_460x0

관련자료

댓글 0
등록된 댓글이 없습니다.
전체 37,268 / 276 페이지
번호
제목
이름
  • Image
    New K-Drama Reported To Star Actor Ahn Hyo Seop Hit With Major Criticism—Director Responds
    싹쓰리 08:01
  • Image
    The Rose’s Woosung Says An ATEEZ Collab “Is Very Possible”
    싹쓰리 06:01
  • Image
    Notorious “Min Hee Jin Outfit” Wearer Apologizes To LE SSERAFIM After Their Shocking Identity Reveal
    싹쓰리 06:01
  • Image
    10+ K-Pop Idols Who Were Unrecognizable In Halloween Costumes
    싹쓰리 05:31
  • Image
    “Creative As Hell” BTS Halloween Costumes “Win” Halloween 2024
    싹쓰리 05:01
  • Image
    다크홀 촬영지는 구미 티케이케미칼 스판텍스 공장 내에서 촬영중입니다
    코난 03.29
  • Image
    무섭A지네요 ...
    정Mal 03.27
  • Image
    저런새끼는 내가 우리 미래로 데리고 와야 데는데
    최형찬 03.04
  • Image
    배구를좋아하는 팬으로 실망스럽고 리그중인데 이런일이 발생했다는것자체가 프로의 자격이 없다고 봐요 제가 다음 검색하다 글읽으면서 육두문자 날리면…
    다솜 02.09
  • Image
    seojun best boy!
    seojunyoup 01.11
  • 인기 유튜브
+ 더보기
  • 회원랭킹
  • 사이트 통계
  • 현재 접속자 1,365 명
  • 오늘 방문자 5,878 명
  • 어제 방문자 10,320 명
  • 최대 방문자 21,247 명
  • 전체 방문자 8,878,812 명
  • 전체 회원수 134 명