“Did they schedule ILLIT’s appearance to coincide with NewJeans’ comeback date? That’s a claim only someone unfamiliar with the broadcasting process would make.”

Min Cheol Gi, the CP of JTBC’s ‘Knowing Bros,’ has responded to the controversy that erupted on May 17 over ILLIT’s scheduled appearance on the show, which coincides with NewJeans’ comeback date, dismissing the allegations as baseless.

The controversy was sparked when ADOR’s CEO, Min Hee Jin, filed an injunction against HYBE to prevent the exercise of voting rights. The hearing, held that morning by the 50th Civil Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Chief Judge Kim Sang-hoon), saw ADOR arguing that “ILLIT’s album activities have ended, but they are appearing on an entertainment program coinciding with NewJeans’ comeback date,” suggesting that ILLIT’s activities were interfering with NewJeans’ comeback.

However, JTBC has refuted this claim, stating that it doesn’t make sense. Typically, casting and scheduling for entertainment programs are arranged at least two months in advance. According to CP Min, discussions about ILLIT’s appearance on ‘Knowing Bros’ took place before their debut, but due to scheduling issues on the show’s end, the episode was set to air on May 25. At that time, the conflict between CEO Min and HYBE had not yet become public.

CP Min explained, “For ‘Knowing Bros,’ we usually invite guests when there is outdoor filming. Recently, for a shoot at a camping site in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, YG Entertainment’s rookie group BABYMONSTER appeared. Generally, top stars’ appearances are scheduled to align with their promotional activities, but since ILLIT is a rookie group, the production team couldn’t adjust to their activity period. We asked for ILLIT’s understanding and conducted the outdoor filming on the 16th at Jebudo, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.”

The broadcast date was determined by the local government. Typically, for outdoor shoots, the broadcast date aligns with the date requested by the cooperating local government, and Hwaseong City wanted the broadcast to air on May 25.

CP Min emphasized, “The production team did not know NewJeans’ comeback date. The timing is coincidental due to the conflict between the two parties, but ‘Knowing Bros’ should not be dragged into this issue.”

Source(1)

IU recently revealed that she watched her own concert film in a public theater, but shockingly, no one recognized her—even when she dropped a hint!

On February 27, a new video featuring IU was released, showing her inside a car on her way to Daejeon.

She excitedly shared, “This is a surprise stage greeting for UAENA! I picked this location through a ladder game when I did stage greetings.”

Previously, IU had let fate decide which city she would visit after her stage greetings. She happily said, “There are UAENAs everywhere I go. Wherever I go, it's a flowery path.” The game ultimately led her to Daejeon.

IU originally hoped to explore the city, saying, “I wanted to visit Daejeon's pride, Sung Sim Dang, and walk around, but my team said it wouldn’t be possible. The lines are too long, and it’s freezing outside.” She sighed, adding, “So, things turned out this way.”

Dressed up for the occasion, IU smiled, saying, “I don’t get to meet UAENAs in Daejeon often, so I wanted to make a surprise appearance looking my best.”

She also joked about enjoying surprise events, adding, “As long as Hanteo oppa drives me safely, I’m happy.”

But what really caught fans' attention was IU’s unexpected confession—she had secretly watched her concert film in a theater, but no one noticed her! “No one recognized me at all. There weren’t that many people, and it was a weekday… but still! I even gave a hint!” she said, sounding both amused and surprised.

Later, when IU finally appeared at the theater, her fans were overwhelmed with emotion. Some even burst into tears, prompting her to gently say, “You really didn’t expect me to come, right?”

After wrapping up her stage greeting, IU laughed at herself, saying, “Wait, did I just do a 40-minute one-woman show? I must have talked so much.”

On her way back to Seoul, IU reflected on the day, sharing, “It was so cold today. I shook hands with all the UAENAs. My hands are usually cold, and since the weather was freezing, I think I made a lot of people’s hands cold, too. But after touching so many warm hands, mine became warm, too. I still haven’t washed them.”

Her love for her fans truly knows no bounds!

Source: [1]