Ikeda Honoka, a Japanese influencer known in Korea for looking like NewJeans' Minji, is rumored to have disappeared to start a career in the Korean entertainment industry.

On August 6, the Japanese Chinese restaurant where Honoka worked as a manager, posted a long message in Korean on its official social media. The message said, "As of July 24, 2024, manager Ikeda Honoka has left the restaurant. We apologize to everyone who supported us for this sudden betrayal."

The restaurant added, "Due to Ikeda Honoka's repeated lies, she has been cut off from her parents. She used to apologize and work hard at the restaurant, but now she has joined an agency. The agency wants to promote her in Korea and mentioned a big event on July 28th. While we wanted her to reconcile with her parents, the agency seemed to prioritize her work in Korea. "

They added, "Since July 24, we have lost all contact with Honoka. The agency claimed they would send her to apologize to us, but that was a lie. We tried to talk to her several times, but it didn't happen. Honoka also sent me DMs, but they were not like her usual messages."

The post continued, "Even though Honoka is an adult, we believe the agency's actions, causing gaps in our schedule and not explaining things to us, are wrong. On July 29, she contacted her parents from an unofficial number, thanking them for raising her but saying she needed her passport to work hard on her own. Her manager said they would get it, but it sounded like they were reading from a script. When her parents asked about college or her future, Honoka only talked about the passport and insisted they keep everything secret to protect her celebrity career. As long as her parents had the passport, it seems she never gave up on her dream of going to Korea."

The restaurant concluded, "If she can work in Korea, she might either get her passport reissued or take it while her parents were working. Honoka couldn't do this alone, but we are powerless and worried, unable to meet or talk to her. However, we must respect her decision. It's very unfortunate, but we have decided to let her go. Though Honoka is no longer with us, our restaurant will continue to operate. We are determined to keep the restaurant running until we can work together again. We ask for your understanding and support."

Previously, Ikeda Honoka posted on her personal social media, "Due to certain circumstances, I had to quit the restaurant. I have worked hard in both the restaurant business and my entertainment activities. While I wanted to continue working at my beloved restaurant, I had to make this unfortunate decision. I deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to the staff who supported me."

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Actress Lim Ji Yeon is finally opening up about the unexpected backlash she received after showing support for actor Jung Woo Sung during his controversial return to the public eye.

In an interview on January 23rd, following the end of her drama The Tale of Lady Ok, Lim Ji Yeon spoke candidly about the situation that caused a stir at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards in November last year.

At the event, Jung Woo Sung made his public return after facing controversy surrounding an “illegitimate child” with model Moon Ga Bi. While Jung Woo Sung took the stage to apologize, Lim Ji Yeon was seen clapping and cheering for him.

Reflecting on that moment, Lim Ji Yeon shared, "It was a brief moment, so it’s hard to say whether it was right or wrong." She added, "I didn’t expect the public’s reaction. On the other hand, I was cautious since The Tale of Lady Ok was airing at the time."

For those who missed it, Jung Woo Sung and Moon Ga Bi, who had been in a relationship since 2022, revealed last year that they were expecting a child.

The actor took full responsibility for the situation and issued an apology during the awards ceremony, saying, "I’m sorry for causing concern and disappointment to everyone who has shown me love and support. I will bear all the criticism, and I promise to take full responsibility as a father to my son".

However, while Jung Woo Sung addressed the controversy, it was Lim Ji Yeon’s show of support that sparked controversy.

She cheered enthusiastically for Jung Woo Sung, while actress Hye Ri, who was seated next to her, kept a neutral, expressionless face. This led to a wave of criticism from some netizens who questioned Lim Ji Yeon’s reaction.

It’s worth noting that Lim Ji Yeon’s agency, Artist Company, was co-founded by Jung Woo Sung and actor Lee Jung Jae, both of whom currently serve as directors.

Could this connection have influenced Lim Ji Yeon’s public display of support? She’s still processing the response, and fans are curious to know how she’ll handle the fallout moving forward.

Source: [1]