Former APRIL member Lee Naeun recently sparked controversy after appearing on Kwak Tube’s YouTube channel. Kwak Tube, a popular South Korean YouTuber with over 2 million subscribers, spoke about his initial reaction to Naeun’s past bullying controversy. During their conversation, Kwak revealed that he had blocked Naeun when the allegations first surfaced, as he had also been bullied during his school years. However, after reading an article denying the allegations, Kwak unblocked her and even apologized.
The video quickly went viral, sparking heated debate among netizens. Many criticized Kwak for “forgiving” Naeun, claiming that only the victim, former APRIL member Lee Hyunjoo, had the right to do so. The situation reignited discussions about the group’s bullying scandal, in which Hyunjoo accused her former bandmates of mistreatment, effectively derailing APRIL’s rising career.
Following the controversy, Lee Hyunjoo’s Instagram was flooded with a mix of negative and supportive comments. Despite not being directly involved in the video, she received harsh criticism from APRIL fans who blamed her for the group’s downfall. Some comments attacked her personally, accusing her of playing the victim.
- “Hyunjoo, correct your victim mentality.”
- “Don’t apologize and don’t go to jail.”
- “Apologize to APRIL.”
On the other hand, Hyunjoo continues to receive encouragement from his supporters, many of whom have reiterated their belief in his version of events.
- “Hyunjoo, the audience is on your side. They always applaud you!”
- “You’re the best! I hope you have a happy Chuseok!”
- “I always sincerely hope that you are happy.”
The bullying allegations against APRIL first came to light when Hyunjoo’s brother posted online accusing the members of ostracizing her. Hyunjoo later confirmed the allegations, prompting APRIL to file a defamation lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed. During the legal proceedings, it was revealed through court documents that Naeun had admitted to certain actions, including putting Cheonggukjang fermented paste in Hyunjoo’s glass and using his sneakers without permission.
