Fans are becoming increasingly anxious about the future of seeing popular girl groups BLACKPINK and Red Velvet members performing together next year as both groups’ contract renewals remain uncertain, with their respective agencies maintaining silence Red Velvet, which celebrated their 9th debut anniversary this year, has not confirmed their contract renewal news, causing global fans to feel tense.

Among the members, only Seulgi’s renewal with SM entertainment (SM) has been reported, while there is no news about the rest of the members. Despite inquiries, the agency has not revealed its stance.

In this situation, one media outlet reported that leader Irene does not renew her contract, leading to speculation about whether Red Velvet can maintain the complete lineup.

Recently, Red Velvet changed their official social media account name from “Red Velvet Official” to “Happy Ending” and deleted all highlight video clips. SM explained that this change was made to match the concept of Red Velvet’s new album and that “HAPPY ENDING” is a part of the lyrics.

However, SM remained tight-lipped about the “members’ contract renewals” and “Red Velvet’s future activities”. BLACKPINK is also under intense scrutiny regarding their contract renewal. Discussions about the members’ contract renewal have been ongoing for about 4 months.

As they enter the “7-year mark”, various speculations have emerged, from members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo’s transfer rumors, to the establishment of solo management companies for Jennie and Jisoo.

However, despite the members’ exclusive contracts having expired in August, YG Entertainment continues to maintain that there is no confirmed decision, only saying, “There is no confirmed decision yet, and discussions are ongoing.“

Currently, BLACKPINK members are actively engaged in various activities, despite their exclusive contracts having expired. Jennie made a solo comeback in October, Lisa made a bold move by appearing on the adult show “Crazy House”, Jisoo confirmed her appearance in the film “Omniscient Reader”, and Rosé will release her “2024 Season’s Greetings”.

In this context, fans are eagerly waiting to see whether they will continue to witness the full-fledged activities of these two representative K-pop girl groups.

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A lawyer representing late actress Kim Sae Ron’s family has revealed that eight of her friends knew about her relationship with actor Kim Soo Hyun when she was still a minor.

On April 1, TV Chosun’s Case File 24 reported, "We talked to Kim Sae Ron’s family lawyer, and they said, ‘We were hoping for a sincere apology from Kim Soo Hyun, but he has not apologized to the bereaved family.’"

The lawyer further claimed, "At least eight of Kim Sae Ron’s friends knew she was dating Kim Soo Hyun when she was still underage. After watching Kim Soo Hyun’s press conference, they felt frustrated and are preparing a statement that could be released to the public."

According to Case File 24, the lawyer added, "Even if Kim Soo Hyun had admitted something like, ‘There were good feelings when she was a minor, but we only had a real relationship after she became an adult,’ it would have been better. The family doesn’t understand why he keeps denying everything."

On March 10, Kim Sae Ron’s family claimed through Garo Sero Research Institute that "Kim Sae Ron dated Kim Soo Hyun from November 19, 2015, when she was 15 years old, until July 7, 2021." Kim Sae Ron was born in 2000, while Kim Soo Hyun was born in 1988.

However, Kim Soo Hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, responded by calling the claims "completely false" and warned of strong legal action. The next day, Kim Sae Ron’s family released messages she had sent to Kim Soo Hyun, along with a photo of him kissing her on the cheek. Despite this, Kim Soo Hyun’s side denied the claims again, calling them "baseless rumors."

At first, Gold Medalist denied any romantic relationship. But on March 14, they changed their stance, saying, "Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron dated from the summer of 2019 to the fall of 2020, after she became an adult. The claim that they dated when she was a minor is not true."

Then, on March 27, Bu Ji Seok, a lawyer representing Kim Sae Ron’s family, held a press conference, presenting KakaoTalk messages from 2016 as proof that Kim Soo Hyun had been in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron when she was still underage.

He stated, "The messages suggest that they shared a bed. If they weren’t in a romantic relationship, then what kind of relationship did they have? At that time, Kim Sae Ron was only 16 years old (15 internationally)."

The lawyer then questioned, "If Kim Soo Hyun continues to deny dating her as a minor, then is he admitting to something worse—grooming her instead?"

During the press conference, the lawyer also revealed a letter Kim Sae Ron had written to Kim Soo Hyun in early April last year.

In the letter, Kim Sae Ron wrote:

"I wanted to clear up the misunderstandings between us, so I'm writing this. No one from the company (Gold Medalist) has been responding, and I was scared to reach out. I'm sorry for posting that photo (of us with our cheeks touching on social media). I only uploaded it because I hoped the company would contact me. I apologize if I caused you trouble.

"I feel really uncomfortable and scared of the people at Gold Medalist. No one from the company has answered my calls. I never meant to make your life harder. I sincerely hope you will be happy.

"We were together for about five to six years. You were my first love and my last love. Please don’t avoid me. Seeing you ignore me and act like I don’t exist makes everything feel meaningless and empty.

"Can’t we at least be on good terms? We don’t have to be anything more or less—just supportive of each other. Do you really hate me that much? Why?"

At the press conference, lawyer Bu said, "At first, Kim Soo Hyun denied ever dating her. Then he changed his story, saying they only dated after she became an adult. This is another lie."

He continued, "The bereaved family wants to put an end to the controversy by presenting evidence. After today’s press conference, they do not want to engage in any more meaningless debates."

On March 31, Kim Soo Hyun held a press conference at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Seoul, where he firmly denied the allegations again.

Through tears, he stated, "I know this is what everyone is most curious about. I did not date her when she was a minor."

He also claimed that the evidence provided by Kim Sae Ron’s family, such as the KakaoTalk messages, had been manipulated.

"The KakaoTalk messages shown at the press conference contain many mistakes that Kim Sae Ron herself wouldn’t have made. The photo they claim is from 2016 is actually from 2019. If it really was Kim Sae Ron writing those messages, she wouldn’t have made mistakes about our age difference. She also wouldn’t have gotten the name and contract period of her agency wrong, especially since she was with the company for four years," he explained.

Kim Soo Hyun also stated, "Kim Sae Ron only worked as an actress under our agency, Gold Medalist. She was never involved in rookie casting or visual directing. The YouTube channel (Garo Sero Research Institute) is using these messages from 2016 to frame me as a ‘pedophile’ and someone who ‘groomed a minor.’"

In response, Kim Soo Hyun’s side has filed a lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron’s family, an unidentified person referred to as "Mr. Lee," and the operators of Garo Sero Research Institute for defamation. They are also demanding 12 billion KRW (about 120 million USD) in damages.

Kim Soo Hyun’s lawyer, Kim Jong Bok from LKB & Partners, stated, "Kim Soo Hyun and Gold Medalist have decided to take legal action to clarify the facts. Today, we submitted a lawsuit against the bereaved family, the unknown individual called 'Mr. Lee,' and the operator of Garo Sero Research Institute (Kim Se Ui) for defamation."

He added, "We have also filed a civil lawsuit at the Seoul District Court, demanding 12 billion KRW in damages."

As both sides continue to present their claims, the controversy surrounding Kim Sae Ron and Kim Soo Hyun is only growing. Many are now waiting to see how the legal battle unfolds.

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