Baek to cut short "Candy" performances for 2PM

Singer Baek Ji-young has decided to cut short promoting hit song "My Ear's Candy" in consideration of 2PM's Taec-yeon who had been featuring for the song, her agency said Friday.

Members of the popular boy band had been cutting back on individual appearances as hosts or participants of TV shows after their former leader Park Jae-beom quit the group earlier this month over controversial remarks he made regarding Korea before his debut.

"Taec-yeon was supposed to feature for a while longer but Baek decided they wouldn't in regard for the group's situation," WS Music and Management said in a press release.

Accordingly, the two will perform for the song for the last time on MBC's 'Show! Music Center' on Saturday, WS added.

Baek, 33, also also addressed Park's incident. "It is distressing to see many people criticize Jae-beom severely over a small mistake which arose from a cultural misunderstanding from when he was young," the singer was quoted as saying. "Especially when he has admitted to his wrongdoing and is regretting it."

She also spoke out to the 22-year-old singer who had quit 2PM: "I hope you will fight through this ordeal to prepare yourself better for your second tryout. I hope you will use this chance as a turning point...... do not be swayed by what the world says."

Jae-beom, who had enraged fans with comments such as "I hate Korea" on his MySpace account between 2005 and 2007 while a trainee at JYPE, quit the group on September 8, four days after the comments became public.

2PM has been one of the most popular boy bands in town since their debut in 2008.

Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr