Red Velvet's Irene finds herself in the middle of a growing controversy following claims of staff misconduct during a recent fan signing event.

On December 9, a shocking post surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) and various online forums. The post accused a security guard at Irene’s fan signing event of inappropriate behavior towards a fan, leading to a wave of backlash.

A user identified as "A" shared their friend’s experience at the event. "My friend 'B' attended the event, and the treatment they faced was terrifying," A wrote. "While I’ve seen poor treatment at fan signings before, this crossed the line."

According to A, B was subjected to excessive security checks. "They were asked to roll their sleeves above the elbows and jump to ensure no hidden recording devices. When asked, ‘Can I touch your body?’ they felt pressured to say yes, fearing they’d be removed from the event otherwise," A explained.

Although the alleged contact wasn’t directly on the chest, A claimed it was “below the collarbone and above the undergarment.” They questioned, "Why is such an invasive process necessary just to meet an artist? What’s scarier is knowing it could happen again."

A also shared a past experience from another fan signing, where security allegedly “subtly checked the chest area.” They added, “Why treat fans like criminals? If you don’t trust fans, stop holding these events."

The post quickly gained traction, with another fan stepping forward to share their experience. "I was wearing a padded jacket, and they said, ‘Let me touch you briefly,’ then checked my arms, underarms, and sides," the fan claimed.

Online, fans voiced their outrage. Comments flooded in, saying, "Why treat paying fans like this?" , "This is stricter than airport security!", "They need to apologize and change these practices", "If safety is such a concern, just stop holding fan signings" and etc.

This isn’t the first time such allegations have surfaced. Last year, HYBE’s group &TEAM faced similar backlash after fans reported invasive security checks at their fan signings. HYBE later apologized and promised non-contact measures to ensure fans' comfort at future events.

Fans are now urging SM Entertainment and Irene’s team to address the issue. Many have tagged the agency and Red Velvet’s official accounts, demanding accountability.

Meanwhile, Irene’s recent solo debut with her album Like A Flower has been a major success. The album surpassed 330,000 copies in first-week sales and continues to receive love from fans. However, this controversy has cast a shadow over her promotional activities.

As of now, SM Entertainment has not released an official statement regarding the allegations. Fans are watching closely for their response.

Source: [1]

Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

Source: [1]