Former AOA member Mina has publicly criticized W Korea’s recent breast cancer awareness event.
On October 19, Kwon Mina wrote on her social media, “My father passed away from pancreatic cancer, and my sister has lived in fear for years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. It was discovered at stage 3, and she went through surgery and chemotherapy — she lost all her hair, gained weight from side effects, and struggled to cover the cost of treatment.”
She continued, “Even though I didn’t experience it personally, just watching it up close was painful and heartbreaking. If the organizers had truly understood the feelings of breast cancer patients and their families, such a drinking party would never have been held,” directly criticizing the W Korea event.
Mina added, “I think the act of donation itself is good. But it was uncomfortable and distressing to see the word ‘breast cancer’ in the middle of a glamorous, festive party.” She also urged, “Please understand that cancer patients and their families can be deeply hurt by even the smallest things.”
The controversy centers on the 20th ‘Love Your W 2025’ event hosted by W Korea on October 15 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno, Seoul.
Although the event was presented as a “breast cancer awareness campaign,” photos and videos showed celebrities drinking and partying, along with a live performance by singer Jay Park — leading to widespread criticism that the event was “inappropriate for its purpose.”
As backlash grew, W Korea released an official apology on October 19, stating, “We take to heart the criticism that the event’s composition and atmosphere were not appropriate for its intended purpose. We sincerely apologize for causing discomfort and hurt, especially to breast cancer patients and their families.”
The magazine added, “We will thoroughly review the entire planning and execution process of our future events and ensure that the mission of the Korea Breast Health Foundation — which promotes early breast cancer screening and supports treatment costs — is not undermined.”
W Korea’s ‘Love Your W’ campaign, launched in 2006, has been held annually to raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer and to fund treatment support for patients.
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