On July 13th, Seulgi explained, “Recently, I got blisters and wounds on my feet while practicing. I was careless in not bringing spare sneakers, thinking the heels I wore to the airport weren’t too high.”
Seulgi mentioned that while walking, her feet began to hurt, and she accepted her manager’s suggestion to swap shoes.
Seulgi apologized “I couldn’t think of another solution in that situation and made a wrong decision in a moment. I apologize to those who were disappointed and to my manager, whose feelings may have been hurt by this incident” and added that she has personally apologized to her manager.
On July 12th, Red Velvet departed from Incheon Airport to Kaohsiung, Taiwan to attend the “K-MEGA CONCERT IN KAOHSIUNG”.
Seulgi wore sponsored outfit, bag, shoes and posed for the press at the airport.
The issue arose when Seulgi and other Red Velvet members were spotted inside the airport.
Photos and videos circulating online showed Seulgi’s female manager wearing Seulgi’s high heels. The manager, carrying multiple bags, was following the members while wearing high heels. Seulgi was seen wearing the manager’s sneakers.
As this information spread, netizens engaged in heated debates.
Netizens commented, “It’s painful to see the manager struggling with ill-fitting heels and carrying bags“, “The manager isn’t a servant. It’s even more infuriating“, “This is power abuse. Do you think the manager would willingly suggest swapping shoes?“, “If they were going to swap shoes, Seulgi should have at least carried the bags“, “Even friends wouldn’t swap ill-fitting shoes” and “If she didn’t bring another pair, she could’ve just bought new ones. She has the money.”
However, others defended Seulgi, “The manager probably offered to swap shoes because Seulgi had a performance the next day. It’s better than shopping for slippers with fans crowding around. People act like Seulgi forcibly took the shoes” and “Shouldn’t we know the full story first? I’ve swapped shoes with friends when they were in pain. It was voluntary, not forced.”
Meanwhile, Red Velvet, celebrating their 10th debut anniversary, will hold the “2024 Red Velvet FANCON TOUR ’HAPPINESS : My Dear, ReVe1uv’”. The tour will start in Seoul at the Olympic Handball Gymnasium on August 3rd~4th and will continue to Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and Macau.
