Kim Jaejoong’s upcoming girl group, SAY MY NAME, is already gaining attention ahead of their official debut, especially with the involvement of former IZ*ONE member Hitomi and other standout trainees.

SAY MY NAME, produced by singer and actor Kim Jaejoong, is catching the eyes of K-pop fans thanks to the diverse backgrounds and talents of its members. Leading the group is Hitomi, who fans will remember from IZ*ONE, one of the most loved third-generation girl groups. Hitomi first entered the K-pop scene through Mnet’s *Produce 48*, and her re-debut in this new group is exciting many fans. Support has been pouring in as fans eagerly anticipate her return.

Mei and Seungjoo also bring their own experience from audition programs. Mei stood out for her solid singing and dancing skills on HYBE Universal's survival show The Debut: Dream Academy, while Seungjoo gained attention on MBC’s My Teenage Girl for her stable performance and unique talents, despite being younger than her fellow contestants.

Another member, Soha, is already getting buzz for her stunning visuals. She is the older sister of singer Jung Choha, often nicknamed “Little Jennie,” and fans are noticing the family’s incredible genes. Other members, including Dohee, Kani, and Junhee, have also been praised for their flawless looks, with all seven members showing both beauty and talent.

As part of the 5th-generation girl group wave, SAY MY NAME is already raising expectations. They recently completed their “Encode to Label” stage and will be performing at Tokyo Girls Collection on the 12th, gaining interest even before their official debut.

SAY MY NAME will drop their debut album on October 16, and K-pop fans are eagerly waiting to see what this group has in store.

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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]