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, discussed his initial reaction to Naeun’s past bullying controversy. During their conversation, Kwak revealed that he blocked Naeun when the allegations first surfaced, as he had also experienced bullying during his school years. However, after reading an article denying the claims, Kwak unblocked her and even apologized.
The video quickly went viral, igniting heated debate among netizens. Many criticized Kwak for “forgiving” Naeun, arguing that only the victim, former APRIL member Lee Hyunjoo, had the right to do so. The situation has reignited discussions surrounding the group’s bullying scandal, where 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, fix your victim mentality.”
- “Don’t apologize and go to jail.”
- “Apologize to APRIL.”
On the other hand, Hyunjoo continues to receive encouragement from her supporters, many of whom reaffirmed their belief in her side of the story.
- “Hyunjoo, the public is on your side. Always cheering you on!”
- “You’re the best! Hope you have a happy Chuseok!”
- “I’m always sincerely hoping for your happiness.”
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 claims, prompting APRIL to file a defamation lawsuit, which was ultimately dismissed. During the legal process, it was revealed through court documents that Naeun had admitted to certain actions, including putting fermented Cheonggukjang paste in Hyunjoo’s tumbler and using her sneakers without permission.
