Oh Ha-young Addresses Rumors About Soccer Team Formation... Agency "Will Take Strong Action"

Published 21 Jul.2020 14:23(KST)

Girl group Apink member Oh Ha-young. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] Apink member Oh Ha-young clarified misunderstandings surrounding the founding of a women's soccer team, while her agency announced it will take strong action against malicious posts targeting her.

On the 20th, Play M Entertainment, Apink's agency, stated on their official fan cafe, "On July 19, we discovered numerous cases of excessive malicious posts online involving Oh Ha-young, including personal attacks, sexual harassment, and spreading false information."

They continued, "Through reports from fans and our own monitoring, we recognized the seriousness of the situation and will continue monitoring and collecting data on malicious posts that damage or defame the artist's reputation. Going forward, we will take strong measures to protect the rights of our artists and will strive even harder for them."

Previously, on the 19th, Oh Ha-young announced the founding of the women's soccer club 'FC Rumor,' which she is part of.

However, some fans posted malicious comments suggesting that the club was created to foster camaraderie with a male celebrity soccer club.

In response, Oh Ha-young clarified, "It has absolutely no relation to the men's team. The soccer team was created because I wanted to learn soccer and because I like soccer."

The following is the full statement from Play M Entertainment.

Hello, this is Play M Entertainment.

On July 19, we discovered numerous cases of excessive malicious posts online involving our artist Apink's Oh Ha-young, including personal attacks, sexual harassment, and spreading false information.

Through reports from fans and our own monitoring, we recognized the seriousness of the situation and will continue monitoring and collecting data on malicious posts that damage or defame the artist's reputation.

Regarding this matter, we will continue to receive ongoing reports from fans. If you have examples of malicious posts you have collected, please report them via fan mail, and we will carefully review and respond accordingly.

Going forward, we will take strong measures to protect the rights of our artists and will strive even harder for them.

We ask for your continued interest and love for our artist Apink.

Thank you.