2NE1 to hold encore concert despite concerns over Park Bom's well-being
Fans worry about the K-pop singer's mental health as she shuts down self-generated dating rumors with Lee Min-ho, confirming she is single
K-pop girl group 2NE1 will go ahead with its encore concert in April, marking the conclusion of its 15th-anniversary Asia tour, despite mounting concerns over member Park Bom's mental health.
YG Entertainment confirmed to The Korea Herald on Friday that the legendary girl group will proceed with their April concert as scheduled, with all four members on stage.
Concerns over Park's condition have intensified following her repeated claims on social media that she is in a romantic relationship with actor Lee Min-ho.
Since last September, she has posted about him three times, most recently on Feb. 12, when she shared his photo with the caption, 'My husband.' The post was removed shortly afterwards.
Park's agency dismissed the post as 'a simple misunderstanding stemming from her admiration as a fan.'
However, she reignited concerns on Feb. 15 by posting another photo of Lee, writing, 'Lee Min-ho is my husband,' and alleging that 'the company deleted my post.'
Lee's agency, MYM Entertainment, denied the rumors on Thursday, stating, 'Park Bom and Lee Min-ho have no personal connection, and the dating rumors are completely false.'
Later that same day, Park created a third Instagram account, where she wrote, 'I am Park Bom. The truth is, I am alone. I posted about Lee Min-ho because he asked me to, but I am clarifying that I am single. Have a good day.'
Beyond her self-generated dating rumors, Park has drawn criticism for her lack of professionalism during 2NE1's 15th-anniversary Asia tour.
While other members delivered intense performances, Park appeared unenthusiastic on stage. At several stops -- including Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan -- she abruptly left the stage mid-performance without explanation.
Fans have expressed deep concern over her well-being, with online comments such as, 'She doesn't seem well at all. Someone needs to encourage her to seek treatment,' and 'At this point, her family should consider hospitalizing her rather than letting her continue the tour.'
Some 2NE1 fans have called for Park's removal from group activities, including the upcoming encore concert in April.
'Park Bom's continuous social media controversies, along with her repeated unprofessional attitude during the tour, cannot be justified by health reasons alone,' the 2NE1 Gallery Fan Union said, on Feb. 16.
2NE1 is scheduled to hold an encore concert entitled '2025 2NE1 Concert [Welcome Back] Encore in Seoul,' at KSPO Dome, April 12–13.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Overprotection or self-defense? SM's girl group Hearts2Hearts faces another security guard controversy
SM says guard reacted to 'sasaeng's' repeated contact; fan denies claim, shares injuries SM Entertainment's rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts is once again under scrutiny over alleged excessive security measures after a fan claimed she was physically assaulted by a guard during the group's recent airport appearance. The incident occurred Sunday in the shuttle train boarding area of Incheon Airport's passenger terminal as the group was departing for China. A video widely circulated on social media earlier this week shows what appears to be a Hearts2Hearts security guard striking a woman while escorting the members through the crowded terminal. In the footage, bodyguards can be heard yelling, 'Please don't get on (the train),' and 'Step back,' while leading the group. One guard is seen forcefully pushing a woman by the neck and elbowing her in the face. He then shouts, 'What's wrong with you? What do you think you're doing?' The woman responds, 'I need to go, too. I have a boarding pass,' to which the guard retorts, 'So what? Why did you bump into the member?' The footage quickly sparked backlash online, with critics accusing SM Entertainment of allowing aggressive and violent behavior from its security staff. On Wednesday, the agency shared a statement via local media outlet defending the guard's actions as a response to what it claimed was repeated inappropriate behavior by a 'sasaeng' — a term for obsessive fans who engage in stalking or other invasive acts. 'At the departure site, a sasaeng fan continuously pushed and attempted to make physical contact with our artist from the entrance area onward,' the K-pop agency said. 'In the process of restraining her, the security guard momentarily used physical force.' The agency added that it had filed complaints with the security company and the guard involved, acknowledging the response was 'excessive.' 'We sincerely apologize for causing concern and will work to better maintain public order when our artists are in shared spaces,' SM Entertainment said. Shortly after the company's statement, the woman involved came forward via her personal social media account, denying that she was a sasaeng and challenging the company's characterization of the incident. 'I'm only 20 years old. Sure, I made a mistake, but how can you treat a 20-year-old girl like a criminal and then release a statement like nothing happened?' she wrote. 'Do you even feel anything writing a statement full of lies? I admit I accidentally bumped into a member because our paths crossed, but does that justify treating someone like an animal?' She posted photos of bruises on her arm and a hospital report showing diagnoses of cervical and lumbar sprains, as well as a right arm injury. The report estimated a four-week recovery period.
Korea Herald
16 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Interview: K-pop idol-turned-actor Cha Hak-yeon comes into his own
From boy band leader to leading man, the former Vixx star carves a steady path on screen At 35, Cha Hak-yeon still carries the youthful spark that gave him a commanding presence in Vixx a decade ago. Turn back the clock to the days of the group's greatest hits, like "Voodoo Doll" and "Error," and that same electrifying energy, now channeled with more restraint, powers his transition from K-pop idol to seasoned actor. While fans may still remember him as the boy band's charismatic leader and main dancer, N, Cha has spent nearly a decade building his acting chops across television. Most recently, he's stepped into lead roles in the breakout hit "Castaway Diva" and the currently airing "Oh My Ghost Client." 'My experience with movement and choreography helps a lot with acting,' Cha tells The Korea Herald at a Samcheong-dong cafe. 'I can memorize a 5-6 minute action sequence in one rehearsal and nail it in a single take,' he laughs. Now he brings that confidence to "Midnight Sun," a remake of the 2007 Japanese tearjerker. In it, he plays Min-jun — a fruit vendor by day, aspiring actor by night — who falls for Mi-sol (played by Jung Ji-so), a singer living with a rare condition that prevents her from being exposed to sunlight. It's Cha's first lead role in a feature film, an opportunity that came rather naturally. 'The director said my energy aligned perfectly with Min-jun's,' he recalls. 'He told me to just bring what I already have rather than create something new.' Now, the actor exudes this relaxed assurance, articulating each word with quiet, thoughtful precision — but that wasn't always the case. 'When I first started acting, ignorance was bliss — I thought I could just wing it,' he says. 'Soon, I realized I needed to take a step back and really build my foundation.' After years of steady work, he's found his rhythm. 'I have this ease now that lets me trust the process and the people around me.' The film itself presents a difficult puzzle for the actors and viewers alike. "Midnight Sun" is largely a tonal misfire — its earnest, PG-13 wholesomeness feels awkwardly splattered across what should be devastating melodrama. The emotional crescendos, especially Mi-sol's inevitable goodbye, somehow manage to feel dead despite all the tragic weight they carry. It's the cinematic equivalent of watching someone cry through a gauzy, pastel-tinted Instagram filter. The role's earnest optimism seems to have left a lasting mark on the actor, though. Min-jun's try-anyway-even-if-you-fail attitude resonated so deeply, Cha claims, that it reshaped his outlook on future roles. 'Those lines felt like the character was speaking directly to me,' he says. 'It gave me the courage to take on more challenging roles' — including his upcoming lead in the BL (boys love) drama "The Killer Next Door." After more than a decade in the industry, Cha still finds strength in familiar places. Though he sat out Vixx's recent comeback due to scheduling conflicts, the group — and its fans — continue to be a grounding presence in his life. 'Starlight (Vixx's official fandom) gives me strength and motivation,' he says. 'I'm not someone who thrives in isolation. Having people who always believe in me — that's what pushes me forward.' The sentiment rings especially true following Vixx's 13th anniversary celebration last month, where the group shared a commemorative photo that had fans feeling all kinds of nostalgic. The members also showed up for him at the screening. 'Some of them even burst into tears,' he says. As for what's next, Cha prefers to keep things simple. 'Right now, I want to carry a full project on my own. I've learned so much from senior actors who create this amazing energy on set. I'd love to become that kind of presence.'
Korea Herald
16 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Interview: Dancing Mongryong, Russian dancer steps into Korea's most romantic role in 'Chunhayng'
Igor Kontarev becomes 4th foreigner to perform as Mongryong in Universal Ballet's 'The Love of Chunhyang' In ballet, there is Prince Siegfried in 'Swan Lake,' Romeo in 'Romeo and Juliet' and, in Universal Ballet's repertoire, there is Mongryong in 'The Love of Chunhyang.' This weekend, Russian-born ballerino Igor Kontarev will step into one of Korea's most beloved folkloric roles, as the company brings its signature reinterpretation of the classic tale. The production returns to the stage for the first time in three years, with the soloist making history as only the fourth foreign dancer to take on the role. 'I was really surprised, first of all, because I'm a foreigner, and not many foreigners do this,' Kontarev said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Tuesday. 'I know it's a really big responsibility to do this kind of role which is so important for Korean culture and for Korean audiences.' Premiered in 2007, 'The Love of Chunhyang' brings the beloved folktale of Chunhyang, the daughter of a courtesan, and Mongryong, the son of a local aristocrat, into ballet set to Tchaikovsky's music. It is choreographed by Universal Ballet's artistic director Liu Bingxian, who is also known for 'Sim Chung' and 'Korean Emotion.' Having been with the company for nearly a decade, Kontarev was already familiar with the story. But preparing to step into Mongryong's shoes meant delving deeper into its cultural nuances. He said it was interesting to observe how the choreography reflected family dynamics across different social classes. 'The difference between Mongryong with his father and Chunhyang with her mother stood out to me. Mongryong is more calm with his father, always faces him, shows respect and bows with courtesy — which I think he was taught from a very young age. And Chunhyang feels more free with her mother.' Taking on the role has also meant intensive rehearsals and hours in the studio. A key part of the process, Kontarev said, was adapting to the unique stylistic features of Korean folk aesthetics embedded in the choreography. 'One of the biggest advantages was to learn firsthand from the choreographer Liu himself. And I'm really thankful for Hyang-gee (who plays Chunghyang). They gave me time to take in the different style,' he said. The ballet features three pas de deux between Chunhyang and Mongryong — each one mapping the couple's emotional journey, from the tender thrill of their first night together to the heartbreak of separation and, finally, their highly emotional reunion. Kontarev said the final duet was his favorite. 'It starts from the moment when Chunhyang drops into Mongryong's arms and he doesn't understand what happened to her. He first feels guilt, sorrow because this happened because of him,' he said. 'This is the highest emotional moment in the piece with all different emotions: joy and happiness and everything here. Even in practice, the emotion sometimes goes over your body, over your muscles.' What he can say for certain is that he cannot wait to meet the audience on stage. That, he says, is when the real art begins. 'When you touch the stage, when you see the audience, you understand what the art of ballet truly is,' he said. 'It's not just hard physical work — it then becomes art the moment you meet the audience, with the lights, the set, everything. You have to be inside the story.' So, he's leaving it to the audience to decide how he did. 'We are dancers but and actors, too. Sometimes, we have to show something we haven't felt yet,' he said. 'But the more I dance, the more deeply I understand the character. So let the audience see that, and let them be the judge.' 'The Love of Chunhyang' runs from Friday to Sunday at the Seoul Arts Center. Kontarev performs at 2 p.m. on Saturday alongside principal dancer Hong Hyang-gee. The production will travel to Daegu for performances on June 20 and 21.
