A hairstylist who worked with the now-disbanded girl group April, which was dissolved amid bullying and harassment allegations, has spoken up regarding the recent resurgence of rumors suggesting that former member Lee Na-eun led the bullying.
In a phone interview with *Sports Kyunghyang*, the hairstylist, who managed April’s hair for years, expressed that “the truth should finally be revealed,” and emphasized that “the roles of the perpetrator and the victim have been reversed in this case.”
Below is the full interview:
Q: What was your relationship with April?
A: I was responsible for the members’ hair from their trainee days until just before the bullying scandal erupted, around November 2020. I worked at a salon that had a contract with DSP Entertainment, and during their active periods, I met the members almost every morning.
Q. Why did you agree to this interview?
I’ve been living quietly with my family in the countryside, raising my children. I thought that since the girls (April members) did nothing wrong, the misunderstandings would eventually clear up. But with the recent Kwaktube incident, I became worried about Na-eun. It’s painful when someone is wrongly accused, and it seems like an even worse situation has unfolded now. I felt I had to speak up because the public seems to be unfairly targeting one side.
Q: Why didn’t you speak up during the 2021 revelations by Lee Hyun-joo’s brother?
When that scandal broke out, everyone thought, “It’s finally happening. They’ve caused trouble.”
The blame was directed only at the other members. I tried to help, but I ended up being criticized. I did submit a statement detailing the actual events, but I’m not sure how it was used afterward.
Q: What kind of group was April?
They were kind-hearted kids. They were always sincere with me, and even though there was a significant age gap, they managed to touch my heart. But whenever there was trouble, Hyun-joo’s name would come up, whether it was about her skipping practice or causing issues. At one point, she secretly dated a male idol from the same agency, which was eventually exposed due to leaked photos. She seemed to want all the attention on herself.
Q: Was there bullying or harassment in April?
No. I think it’s unfortunate that Hyun-joo became someone who made things difficult for the members. From what I observed, she just couldn’t adjust to group life. While she might not have been close with the others, it didn’t seem like bullying, just a lack of friendship. She was often sick, and while it’s okay to not feel well, you shouldn’t cause trouble for others.
Q: Can you explain the incident where April missed a music show performance?
It was heartbreaking to watch from the side. When Hyun-joo went MIA and missed the broadcast, the members and I hugged and cried. They had worked tirelessly for years without seeing family or friends, and missing that opportunity was devastating. Despite everything, the girls never bad-mouthed Hyun-joo. They were too kind.
Q. So there was no bullying?
Hyun-joo couldn’t stand it when the staff interacted with the other members. She would interrupt our conversations and make things difficult for them. I don’t know if it’s right to label someone as the perpetrator or victim, but from what I saw, the roles have been reversed. It wasn’t five members bullying one; it was more like one person making life hard for the other five.
Q: Why do you say the roles of perpetrator and victim have been reversed?
Think back to school days. You don’t usually hang out with people you’re not compatible with. Hyun-joo was often too out of sync with the others, She can’t get along with anyone, so she might not have a close relationship with the members. You can’t force yourself to get close to friends who don’t fit with your personality.
(Idol groups) have to work together with one mind and one purpose, but since they didn’t move with one mind, they probably lacked that bond with that friend. Isn’t that realistic? If you live in the same house and are stuck together 24 hours a day, if one person disappears and skips practice, it’s hard for the five of you, not for that one person.
Q: Did the members ever express how difficult it was?
The girls leaned on me like an older sister or mother figure since they were young and away from their families. Since we see each other almost every day due to our schedules, I can tell if they’re feeling good or bad just by looking at their faces.
Na-eun, in particular, was a deep child from a young age. When I asked her what was wrong because her face doesn’t look well, she didn’t say anything in detail, but just said, “It’s so hard. It’s hard to overcome suffering and hardship because of others. I don’t know what to do.”
Anyone who isn’t an idiot knows what’s going on. Who is the reason the kids are having a hard time? At the time, when the kids looked bad, I would ask, “Why did Hyun-joo do that again yesterday?”
The kids were 17 or 18 at the time, but despite that, I didn’t speak up easily because I wanted to protect April. Then, when a friend showed their emotions, I would hug them and cry silently, and when I entered the shop at dawn and made eye contact with them, I would burst into tears and cry. At the time, all I could do was encourage them, telling them to get through it and persevere. In my opinion, the kids did their best to protect April.
Q. There has been constant controversy over bullying and harassment in idol groups. As someone who has worked in the industry, what did you think when you saw this incident?
I’m not sure if it’s right to express this as a false fact. However, I think it’s heartbreaking to see someone suffering for too long because of something that isn’t true. I don’t think this should happen again. I hope Na-eun and the other members can let go of their past burdens. I hope they can overcome it bravely.
Source: Naver
