IVE's leader Ahn Yujin is currently facing severe cyberbullying on Chinese social media, sparking outrage among fans.

On November 26, a post on X (formerly Twitter) revealed the extent of the malicious attacks targeting Ahn Yujin. The post quickly went viral, gaining 230,000 views and drawing attention from fans and online communities worldwide.

A user claiming to be a Chinese fan shared their frustrations, saying, “I’ve repeatedly contacted her agency about protecting Ahn Yujin, but there’s been no action.” They described the attacks as “out of control” and “beyond imagination.”

The fan revealed that Chinese netizens have been spreading false rumors and sharing manipulated images of Ahn Yujin to defame her.

“The scale and intensity of the bullying are damaging her reputation,” they added, urging her agency, Starship Entertainment, to respond firmly.

Fans in China have even organized protests, including a truck demonstration, demanding the agency protect Ahn Yujin. However, Starship has not issued an official statement, leaving many fans frustrated.

Comments from fans echoed this frustration:

• “The agency must act, even if it’s in China.”
• “Ahn Yujin deserves protection just like any other member.”

Some speculate that the bullying intensified due to IVE’s I AM music video, which featured Korean traditional elements like jeogori and norigae.

Ahn Yujin’s use of a gombangdae (traditional smoking pipe) sparked accusations from some Chinese netizens, who claimed it was “stealing Chinese culture.”

The issue flared up again after the 2024 MAMA Awards, where Ahn Yujin was accused of “stealing” Jang Wonyoung’s part during a performance. This claim gained traction on Douyin (Chinese TikTok), further fueling the hate.

Meanwhile, Starship recently won a legal case for another IVE member, Jang Wonyoung, against a defamatory online platform. Fans are now urging the agency to show the same level of commitment to protecting Ahn Yujin.

The lack of response from Starship Entertainment has left fans anxiously waiting for action, with many calling for justice to protect Ahn Yujin from further harm.

Source: [1]

Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin’s When the Phone Rings has issued an apology for the recent controversy surrounding the mockery of sign language.

On November 29th, the drama’s production team released a statement on the viewer’s board addressing the issue. The statement began by saying, “We take the criticism about the improper handling of sign language very seriously, especially as it led to the mockery of the Deaf community and Korean sign language.”

They went on to clarify, “The drama’s theme centers around ‘communication’ between people, and there was absolutely no intention to mock or belittle sign language, which is a vital communication tool for the Deaf community.”

However, the production team admitted, “We humbly acknowledge that we did not give enough attention to the struggles of the Deaf community and the importance of Korean sign language. We will ensure that such mistakes do not happen again in the future.”

The statement also highlighted the role of sign language in the drama, saying, “Sign language plays a crucial part in the relationship between the two main characters as they learn to communicate with each other. Through their journey, we want to show the true value of sign language as an important tool that connects people.”

The production team concluded by asking for viewers' continued support, saying, “We hope you will keep watching the drama and point out any shortcomings you notice.”

Earlier, in the first episode of When the Phone Rings, which aired on November 22nd, a mistake occurred when sign language interpreter Hong Hee Joo (played by Chae Soo Bin) mistakenly used the sign for "mountain" while trying to interpret "landslide" due to a broadcast error.

This led to the sign being misunderstood as a finger gesture commonly seen as offensive, sparking backlash.

After the episode aired, a viewer posted a complaint on the viewer’s board, asking for an apology for mocking sign language.

The viewer explained that the sign for "mountain" is different from the offensive gesture and that using it in this context was hurtful to the Deaf community, as it has been used as a joke by hearing people.

The post described this as an act of discrimination and mockery, calling for a more respectful approach.

Source: [1]