EDAM Entertainment, the agency representing singer IU, has committed to system improvements following a controversy where a fan was wrongfully accused of ticket scalping.

On the morning of April 9th, EDAM Entertainment issued an apology and a detailed plan for reform. They expressed deep regret for the harm caused to a fan due to their stringent verification procedures.

One of the major changes announced is the abolition of the undercover system. EDAM stated that they will adopt a more lenient approach in case a verification procedure is triggered. They also clarified that ticket bookings without any monetary transactions will not be considered as illegal transactions.

The agency also addressed the process of identity verification for ticket collection. They assured that if a fan finds it difficult to verify their identity with an ID card, alternative measures will be put in place.

Fans will be able to collect their tickets after verifying their identity using a family relationship certificate and resident registration copy. For new passports, identification will be possible without a passport certificate.

EDAM also vowed to revamp the permanent ban system of the fan club. From now on, the ban system will operate as a 'penalty application' (for example, restriction on joining by fan club generation) instead of a 'permanent ban'. They also announced the lifting of all permanent ban actions against existing IU official fan club members.

EDAM reiterated their apology for the distress caused to fans and artists due to their management policy. They promised that EDAM, Melon Ticket, and the performance team will do their utmost to compensate the fan who was harmed during the ticket booking process.

Last month, a fan of IU successfully booked a ticket for IU's concert but made a mistake with the bank transfer amount and asked a friend to deposit it instead. The fan received an email from Melon Ticket suspecting illegal trading. To prove their innocence, the fan submitted various documents including their ID card, ticket deposit details, official fan club card, and conversation content with the friend who helped with ticketing.

Despite this, the fan was denied entry to the concert on the day due to suspicions of proxy ticketing. The fan, who couldn't even get a refund, expressed their grievance after being permanently banned from the official fan club. This incident sparked criticism from netizens towards IU's side for their excessive verification process.

Source[1]

Choi Si Hoon, known from Single’s Inferno and newlywed husband of singer Ailee, is facing backlash after being linked to a controversy from Wavve’s queer reality show ToGetHer.

Fans discovered that Choi is allegedly the CEO of the influencer agency representing Ri Won, a cast member now at the center of a growing scandal.

The situation started when castmate Han Gyeol spoke up, claiming Ri Won once suggested an overseas trip that felt more like a shady meeting than a casual hangout.

“I thought it was a fun vacation invite at first,” Han Gyeol said, “but when they started talking about meals and date-like things, I realized something was wrong. It felt like an inappropriate setup.”
Han Gyeol added, “Using someone’s sexuality as a shield for suspicious actions is not okay in this industry.”

Ri Won responded by saying it was all a misunderstanding and that the trip was mentioned casually during a conversation about food. “We joked about going to that country after talking about food,” Ri Won said.

However, things got more intense when Ri Won admitted to having a past as a 'beotbang' (adult streaming) BJ. “I know I’m not trustworthy right now, and I appeared on TV while hiding my past. That’s why I shared some proof—I was desperate,” Ri Won explained.

Ri Won also shared a blurred message from another cast member that accused them of fake dating and lying about knowing someone from Billboard. “You said you’d introduce me to a Billboard contact. Then give me their name and title,” the message read. “You just keep switching your targets.”

Ri Won replied, “He’s the team leader at Billboard Korea and also my influencer agency CEO.”
This comment led online users to dig deeper—and some claimed the CEO Ri Won mentioned is none other than Choi Si Hoon, Ailee’s husband.

Currently on his honeymoon with Ailee, Choi is now getting unwanted attention. Some netizens brought up his alleged past as an adult BJ and now, his possible involvement in this controversy.

On Ailee’s Instagram post from April 30, one fan wrote, “Unnie, sorry to bother you during your honeymoon, but please search Choi Si Hoon’s name. A female BJ said she’s signed to his company, and he supposedly arranged a meeting for her with a just-turned 19-year-old girl.”

As the issue grew, Ri Won spoke out again on May 1 to calm things down. “The person I mentioned in the messages was just someone who gave me advice,” Ri Won clarified. “He’s not my agency CEO, like some people assumed. I thought he could help with music, but he never made any business offer.”

Ri Won ended by saying, “I’m sorry for causing any confusion and discomfort to others with my personal remarks.”

So far, Choi Si Hoon and Ailee have not made public statements about the situation.

Source: [1]