LE SSERAFIM recently made headlines at the VMAs, but the group's leader, Chaewon, has come under fire for her English skills.

On September 16, LE SSERAFIM was celebrated for their achievements, including performances at Coachella and appearances on American TV. Despite their success, the group has faced criticism regarding their skills, especially in English.

As an internationally focused group, English proficiency is closely watched. Within LE SSERAFIM, main vocalist Huh Yunjin and Japanese member Kazuha are noted for their strong English skills. They often handle interviews and interactions abroad.

At the VMAs, LE SSERAFIM attracted a lot of international media attention. Yunjin handled most of the interviews, but during one, leader Kim Chaewon struggled with an English question. She appeared confused and couldn’t understand the question, even with Yunjin translating it into Korean.

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Chaewon remained frozen and unable to respond, leading Kazuha to step in and answer on her behalf. Chaewon tried to cover her embarrassment with a smile, but the moment was widely shared online.

Criticism poured in, with many questioning LE SSERAFIM’s readiness for the international market. Some netizens felt Chaewon’s struggle indicated a lack of effort to improve her English skills.

Fans, however, have defended Chaewon. They argue that language skills improve with time and that the criticism might be unfairly harsh.

They point out that many Korean idols face similar language barriers without as much backlash, and LE SSERAFIM’s three foreign members demonstrate that the group has strong English capabilities.

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After Kim Ji Won’s unexpected departure from Salt Entertainment, it now seems that Kim Seon Ho will also be leaving the agency.

Both stars are reportedly headed to High Zium Studio, the agency run by Song Joong Ki, and this news is stirring up plenty of buzz. What’s behind this wave of talent moving away from Salt?

Kim Ji Won, who signed with Salt Entertainment in 2020, made headlines in June 2022 when she suddenly announced her departure after finishing the drama My Liberation Notes. While the official statement wished her the best, many insiders speculated about the reasons behind the split.

Some rumors suggested that Kim Ji Won was unhappy with her role in the drama, especially for being overshadowed by her co-star, Son Seok Koo. Others believed that Salt made mistakes by trusting writer Park Hae Young too much when signing the project.

Now, just two years after Kim Ji Won’s departure, Kim Seon Ho is reportedly set to follow in her footsteps and leave Salt Entertainment for High Zium Studio. Although High Zium has denied confirming any contract details, insiders believe it’s almost certain that the actor will make the move.

For Salt, this is a huge blow, especially since Kim Seon Ho has become a popular star in Southeast Asia, which helped the agency rake in significant revenue.

An entertainment insider shared, "Salt worked hard to build connections in Southeast Asia for Kim Seon Ho, thanks to Park Shin Hye’s network. It was a successful partnership, but now it looks like they’re parting ways."

Salt’s connections in countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia were largely due to Park Shin Hye’s previous fan meetings and events there. These efforts helped Kim Seon Ho rise to stardom in Southeast Asia, but Salt couldn’t secure a contract extension.

Salt also managed to protect Kim Seon Ho’s reputation during his 2021 scandal with weathercaster Choi Young Ah.

After Choi Young Ah’s false claims about pregnancy and abortion, public opinion shifted in Kim Seon Ho’s favor. The agency’s handling of the situation earned them praise, but despite their efforts, they couldn’t keep their rising star.

A manager with years of experience in the industry shared, "The loyalty of extending contracts for 1-2 years after a 7-year contract ends is disappearing. Agencies are under pressure due to the economic downturn, and more companies are being listed, making it harder to maintain these long-term relationships."

With Kim Seon Ho and Kim Ji Won leaving, many are wondering if Salt can bounce back from this blow or if High Zium Studio will continue to attract more talent from under their noses.

Source: [1]