HyunA's agency to take legal measures against rumors, malicious comments

Malicious comments and rumors against singer HyunA have reached "levels that cannot be overlooked anymore," her agency AT AREA said, warning firm legal measures against haters.

HyunA waves to fans as she heads to the SBS television network in Yangcheon District, western Seoul, on May 7, 2024. [NEWS1]

Malicious comments and rumors against singer HyunA have reached "levels that cannot be overlooked anymore," her agency AT AREA said, warning firm legal measures against haters.

“We have confirmed that defamation against the singer has reached levels that cannot be overlooked anymore and is blatantly occurring," said the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. “We decided to take firm action as rumors totally different from the truth are being produced and distributed, particularly after posting pictures from the singer's pre-wedding photo session."

Screen capture of a photo session featuring HyunA and Yong Jun-hyung from HyunA's Instagram account. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

HyunA uploaded the photo session pictures on her Instagram account on Monday.

The singer announced her relationship with singer Yong Jun-young in January this year by sharing a photo of them walking hand in hand on her Instagram account.

HyunA and Yong were both previously signed to entertainment agency Cube Entertainment as members of girl group 4Minute and boy band Beast, which both debuted in 2009.

On July 8, HyunA's agency confirmed her marriage to Yong and shared that the wedding was scheduled for October.

However, HyunA's past relationship and Yong's controversial past have sparked criticism by fans.

HyunA was in a six-year relationship with singer Dawn and was engaged to him until the couple broke up in November 2022.

Yong was embroiled in controversy for watching illicit videos taken by singer Jung Joon-young, whose crimes came to light as part of the investigation against former Big Bang member Seungri's Burning Sun scandal.

He left Beast in March 2019 following the scandal.

On June 12, Yong uploaded an apology letter on Instagram. In the letter, he admitted to watching an illegal video sent by Jung but claimed that he was unaware of its content.

The public remains skeptical about his actions.

"We will take strict legal measures without warning or leniency regarding malicious rumors surrounding the singer moving forward to safeguard her reputation," AT AREA said in the statement on Wednesday.

Despite previously preparing a lawsuit over false information, personal attacks and malicious slander against the artist, the agency refrained from pursuing it per the artist's request.

HyunA launched her solo career in 2010 with hit songs like "Bubble Pop" (2011), "Ice Cream" (2012) and "Lip & Hip" (2017).

Yong established his own agency, Black Made, in 2022, and recently held a solo concert in Hong Kong on June 29.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]