APRIL’s Jinsol Releases Personal Statement Denying Former Member Hyunjoo’s Bullying Accusations

APRIL‘s Jinsol has released a statement regarding the bullying accusations against the group. It was previously reported that the group had allegedly bullied former member, Lee Hyunjoo. After a long silence, both members Naeun and Jinsol have spoken up.

Jinsol has denied any bullying allegations and apologized for having worried fans. She maintains that she and Hyunjoo got along well and made efforts to get to know each other, despite not having much time together.

We mostly only saw each other during schedules. Because of that, I did not have the chance to have many personal conversations with the former member. Despite that, there were definitely times where we both tried to get to know each other and take care of each other. Although it’s only a portion (of the time), as I treasured the memories from then, it makes me sad to have to write this.

In the time I spent with her, and even now, I have never had malicious emotions towards her, nor have I acted maliciously. Thank you to the fans that have waited and trusted in me, despite being tired out by the long silence.

— Jinsol

Her full statement can be read below.

Hello. This is April’s Lee Jinsol. Firstly, I apologize for having worried many people over the controversy. The reason that I have been silent against the speculations and criticisms up to now, is due to the legal steps we have been taking, as well as that we were unable to release our statements and could only wait, after long discussions with the company.

Even in this moment, as I am writing this, I do not know what to say. As no matter what I say, people will not believe me, so I have had no choice but to keep silent.

Thinking about the time that we spent with the former member, I entered the company in February 2015 and was confirmed for debut. Without time to get used to it, I had to follow the rules and routines of the debut team, and was extremely busy practicing. As the members were confirmed, we simply practiced and went back and forth between the dorms and practice rooms as excursions and days off were not allowed. At that point in time, me and most of the members lived as a group and started dorm life for a couple of months, without knowing each other at all. In the process of the group getting to know each other, I barely ran into the former member. She barely turned up to the practice rooms and did not come to the dorms often. We mostly only saw each other during schedules. Because of that, I did not have the chance to have many personal conversations with the former member. Despite that, there were definitely times where we both tried to get to know each other and take care of each other. Although it’s only a portion (of the time), as I treasured the memories from then, it makes me sad to have to write this.

In the time I spent with her, and even now, I have never had malicious emotions towards her, nor have I acted maliciously. Thank you to the fans that have waited and trusted in me, despite being tired out by the long silence.

— Jinsol

Naeun’s statement can be read here.