Soojin (G)I-DLE: The Untold Story Behind Her Departure

August 14, 2021, marked a pivotal moment in K-pop history when Soojin, a prominent member of (G)I-DLE, officially departed from the group. This unexpected exit sent shockwaves through the K-pop industry and left fans worldwide questioning the circumstances behind her departure.

The story of Soojin's journey with (G)I-DLE spans from their successful debut in 2018 to her sudden departure three years later. Her position as the group's main dancer and lead vocalist made her an integral part of their rise to fame. However, a series of allegations and subsequent events led to significant changes in both her career and the group's dynamics.

Early Life and Training Period

Born in Gyeonggi, South Korea, Soojin's artistic journey began during her elementary school years. Initially attending Waw Middle School in Hwaseong, she eventually transferred to Korean Arts High School, where she developed her performing arts skills.

During her childhood, Soojin's mother encouraged her to explore various artistic pursuits. At her mother's suggestion, she began learning jazz dance at a young age. Furthermore, she achieved notable success in martial arts, earning a black belt in taekwondo.

Her path to becoming an idol wasn't straightforward. Despite her early interest in performing, Soojin faced significant resistance from her father. She spent two years, from ages 13 to 15, convincing him to support her dreams of becoming a singer. Throughout this period, she demonstrated remarkable determination by:

Attending vocal academies

Initially extremely shy, Soojin would hesitate at the practice room entrance during her early training days. Nevertheless, with support from her instructors, she gradually overcame her reservations and began to flourish in the performing arts.

Her pre-debut journey included a significant stint at DN Entertainment, where she trained under the stage name N.Na. She participated in several performances and photoshoots with VIVIDIVA, though she ultimately left the group before their official debut in 2015.

A turning point came in her third year of high school when CUBE Entertainment approached her for an audition. Although apprehensive at first, she accepted the challenge and successfully passed the audition with BoA's "No.1". Consequently, she began her training at CUBE Entertainment in 2016.

During her training period at CUBE, Soojin made notable appearances, particularly in fellow trainee Soyeon's solo music videos. She performed as a masked dancer in both "Jelly" and "Idle Song", showcasing her dancing abilities even before her official debut.

Rise to Fame with (G)I-DLE

On April 10, 2018, CUBE Entertainment revealed Soojin as the fourth member of their upcoming girl group (G)I-DLE. Subsequently, the group made their official debut on May 2, 2018, with their first mini-album "I Am" and its lead single "LATATA".

As a crucial member of (G)I-DLE, Soojin held multiple positions within the group:

Main dancer

The group's remarkable talent became evident as they quickly shed their rookie status. Their performances consistently impressed both critics and audiences alike, especially during their appearance on the competition show "Queendom." In this program, Soojin participated in the Six Puzzle unit alongside prominent artists Moon Byul, YooA, Yein, Chan Mi, and Eunji.

Their stage presence and artistic versatility shone through various notable performances. The group delivered memorable stages that showcased their unique blend of talent:

Egyptian-inspired performances that incorporated Arabian themes

Additionally, Soojin expanded her presence beyond musical performances. In October 2020, she co-hosted a fashion show called "Minnie Soojin's i'M THE TREND" alongside fellow member Minnie. The program featured styling battles for the title of 'Trend Center' and shared fashion tips with viewers.

The group's success continued to grow, with their performances garnering significant attention. Their live stages consistently drew large audiences, accordingly establishing them as one of K-pop's most promising acts. Moreover, their debut track "LATATA" earned them their first music show win on SBS MTV's "The Show" just twenty days after their debut.

Throughout her tenure with (G)I-DLE, Soojin's dancing prowess and stage presence contributed significantly to the group's performances. Her role as main dancer helped establish the group's reputation for powerful choreography and captivating stage presence.

The Emergence of Controversy

In February 2021, the trajectory of Soojin's career took an unexpected turn. A netizen, claiming to be the older sister of Soojin's middle school classmate, posted serious allegations about the idol's past behavior.

Initial allegations timeline

The controversy unfolded rapidly across several days. On February 19, 2021, the initial post appeared, followed by more detailed accusations the next day. CUBE Entertainment promptly responded with a statement defending Soojin and announcing their intention to pursue legal action against false claims.

Nature of bullying claims

The accusations against Soojin encompassed several serious allegations:

Forcing students to slap each other in school bathrooms

The situation intensified likewise actress Seo Shin-ae, who attended the same middle school as Soojin, posted "None of your excuses" on Instagram. This development added credibility to the allegations, as Seo had previously revealed in 2012 that she experienced bullying during her middle school years.

Public reaction and media coverage

The public response was swift and intense. Meanwhile, Korean media outlets covered the story extensively, ultimately leading to Soojin's hiatus from group activities in March 2021. The controversy affected her professional relationships, including the termination of her brand partnerships.

The situation created a divide among fans and the public. International supporters generally maintained their faith in Soojin, whereas Korean netizens expressed harsher views about her potential return to the industry. Online forums buzzed with debates about the validity of the claims, therefore creating a challenging environment for both the artist and her group.

CUBE Entertainment's initial strategy focused on defending Soojin through legal channels. They filed criminal complaints against the accusers at the Gangnam Police Station. Similarly, they pursued civil lawsuits to address what they termed as "false rumors and personal attacks".

Soojin's Response and Defense

In response to mounting allegations, Soojin took decisive action by releasing a comprehensive statement through CUBE Entertainment's U CUBE app. The idol addressed specific claims point by point, firmly denying any involvement in physical violence or extortion.

Official statements released

On March 19, 2021, Soojin released a detailed statement addressing ten specific allegations. In her defense, she clarified several key points:

Never assaulted any classmates

In fact, Soojin acknowledged using harsh words during a phone argument with a former classmate but maintained that this was the extent of any conflict.

Legal actions taken

CUBE Entertainment, coupled with Soojin's legal team, filed criminal complaints at the Gangnam Police Station against individuals spreading what they termed false rumors. The agency collected substantial evidence to support their position, ultimately pursuing both criminal and civil lawsuits without lenience.

As opposed to immediate resolution, the legal proceedings extended over several months. In September 2022, Soojin's legal representative, Choi Seung-hwan, revealed that the police had cleared charges against the former classmate, noting that allegations could be true from the accuser's perspective.

Support from fans and colleagues

The (G)I-DLE Korean fan community on DC Inside Gallery issued a balanced statement, expressing that while school violence cannot be justified, they requested CUBE Entertainment to quickly identify facts and take appropriate action.

The controversy prompted varied responses from different segments of the fandom. Indeed, many international fans maintained their support, while others adopted a more cautious stance, requesting clear resolution before continuing their support.

Throughout this period, Soojin's legal team emphasized a crucial point: during her first year in middle school, she was found "not guilty" by the school's Autonomous Committee For School Violence Countermeasures. In fact, the investigation revealed that Soojin herself had been a victim of bullying by seniors during this period.

The Hiatus Period

First thing to remember, on March 4, 2021, CUBE Entertainment announced Soojin's temporary withdrawal from all activities, marking the beginning of a challenging period for both the artist and (G)I-DLE.

Impact on group activities

The hiatus created immediate ripples through (G)I-DLE's activities. Important to realize, the group continued their promotions as five members. Even after releasing their digital single "Last Dance" with the reduced lineup, the group faced significant limitations in their activities for several months.

The restructuring affected multiple aspects of their operations:

Delayed team activities

Public sentiment analysis

As a matter of fact, the public response varied significantly across different demographics. The controversy led to tangible professional consequences, notably the termination of Soojin's partnership with Peripera, who promptly removed all her images from their social media platforms.

In light of these developments, fan reactions split along geographical lines. International supporters maintained their loyalty, notwithstanding domestic audiences expressed more critical views about potential future activities.

Management company's stance

CUBE Entertainment adopted a methodical approach throughout the hiatus period. On March 19, they filed criminal complaints against individuals spreading what they deemed false rumors at the Gangnam Police Station. The company stated:

They would pursue civil lawsuits without lenience

The management maintained that they had spent considerable time verifying facts before making decisions. To put it another way, while they supported their artist initially, they also acknowledged the need to respect the police investigation results.

The situation reached a critical point sooner or later when both CUBE Entertainment and other (G)I-DLE members recognized they could no longer delay team activities due to the ongoing controversy. This realization ultimately influenced subsequent decisions about Soojin's future with the group.

The Departure Decision

Following months of uncertainty, CUBE Entertainment made a definitive announcement on August 14, 2021, regarding Soojin's status with (G)I-DLE. The decision marked the end of a challenging period for both the artist and the group.

Official announcement details

CUBE Entertainment's statement contained several key points:

A formal apology for concerns caused by the controversy

Reasons behind the departure

The decision came after a prolonged period of investigation and deliberation. Ultimately, the mounting pressure from public sentiment and ongoing controversy influenced the final outcome. The situation intensified specifically when actress Seo Shin Ae's statements added weight to the allegations.

Group restructuring aftermath

The remaining members faced significant challenges during this transition period. A timeline of key events followed:

The group's leader, Soyeon, carried additional pressure to ensure their first comeback without Soojin would succeed. Straightaway, other members also shared their experiences during this period. Minnie, in particular, described it as "one of the most challenging times" she had experienced.

Soon after the announcement, fans demonstrated their support by trending "(G)I-DLE is six" on social media platforms. A petition demanding "justice" for Soojin gathered nearly 140,000 signatures.

The restructuring proved successful as the group demonstrated remarkable resilience. Their first full-length album "I NEVER DIE" and its title track "TOMBOY" achieved significant success on both domestic and international music charts. Hence, the group established their ability to maintain their popularity and artistic quality even after this substantial change in their lineup.

Post-(G)I-DLE Career

After a two-year hiatus from the entertainment industry, Soojin made a remarkable return to the K-pop scene. In October 2023, she signed an exclusive contract with BRD Communications, marking the beginning of her solo career.

Solo debut preparation

Ultimately, Soojin's preparation for her solo debut involved multiple strategic steps. She created her own YouTube channel "Soojin" and released a dance video titled "Black Forest," which garnered over 91,000 views. At this point, her channel quickly accumulated more than 160,000 subscribers.

Her debut preparations culminated in these key achievements:

Release of her first mini-album 'AGASSY' in November 2023

New agency signing

BRD Communications demonstrated strong support for Soojin's comeback, launching a comprehensive promotional campaign. The agency unveiled a trailer video for her debut album "AGASSY" and established her presence across various social media platforms.

Current activities and projects

Presently, Soojin maintains an active touring schedule. Her fan concert series has reached multiple international venues:

In the midst of her touring activities, certain adjustments occurred. The Macau show, originally scheduled for July 27, 2024, faced cancellation. Additionally, the North American leg of her 'Summer Daze' tour underwent cancellation owing to organizational circumstances.

Currently, Soojin engages with fans through various platforms, including her Instagram account, which she created on June 30, 2023. Her social media presence has become a vital channel for connecting with supporters and sharing updates about her artistic endeavors.

Legal Resolution and Aftermath

The legal resolution of Soojin's case reached its conclusion in September 2022, marking the end of a complex investigation that began with her departure from (G)I-DLE. The police investigation ultimately cleared charges against the initial accuser, determining that the allegations could be viewed as truthful from the accuser's perspective.

Final investigation results

The investigation revealed several key findings:

Soojin was found "not guilty" by the school's Autonomous Committee for School Violence Countermeasures during her first year of middle school

Statement from legal representatives

Barun Law Firm's representative, Choi Seung-hwan, issued a comprehensive statement addressing the resolution. In essence, the statement acknowledged that beyond conflicting testimonies, no additional evidence existed to verify the online allegations. Under those circumstances, Soojin decided not to pursue further legal procedures.

The timeline of legal proceedings unfolded as follows:

Public response to resolution

The resolution generated mixed reactions across different segments of the K-pop community. Given these points, a petition demanding "justice" for Soojin amassed over 200,000 signatures. Accordingly, international fans maintained their support throughout the legal proceedings.

The legal representative's final statement included a significant apology from Soojin, expressing understanding of her former classmate's emotional hurt, regardless of the allegations' validity. This acknowledgment marked a turning point in the narrative, as it addressed both the accuser's perspective and the disappointment of supportive fans.

The case's resolution prompted broader discussions within the entertainment industry about handling school violence allegations. The investigation's outcome highlighted the challenges of resolving historical conflicts, particularly when evidence beyond personal testimonies is limited.

FAQS

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Soojin's departure from (G)I-DLE and her current activities:

Q: What led to Soojin's departure from (G)I-DLE? Ultimately, the decision came after a five-month hiatus following bullying allegations. CUBE Entertainment announced her departure on August 14, 2021, after which the group continued as five members.

Q: Has Soojin admitted to any wrongdoing? Through her attorney in September 2022, she acknowledged that she "was not the most diligent of students during middle school" and had been involved in school incidents, though she was never formally punished.

Q: What is Soojin doing now in 2024? Evidently, Soojin has successfully launched her solo career. She released her debut album "Agassy" on November 8, 2023, marking her return to the entertainment industry after a two-year break. Her YouTube channel attracted more than 160,000 subscribers shortly after its creation.

Q: How has the public responded to her comeback? The response has been mixed across different demographics:

Q: What happened to the legal proceedings? Basically, the investigation concluded with these outcomes:

Q: Will Soojin return to (G)I-DLE? Certainly, this seems unlikely as both parties have moved forward separately. Soojin has established her solo career with BRD Communications, while (G)I-DLE continues to perform successfully as a five-member group.

Q: What type of music is Soojin creating now? Altogether, her solo work showcases a distinct artistic direction. Her debut album "Agassy" features traditional Korean elements, as evidenced by her wearing hanbok-inspired clothing and traditional hairpins (binyeo) in the promotional material.

Q: How can fans support Soojin's current activities? Fans can support Soojin through: