Former April member and actress Lee Naeun has made her first official public appearance in six years, sparking a heated online debate.
On October 21, Lee Naeun attended the production presentation for the short-form drama 'My Little Chef' at Starfield Goyang in Gyeonggi Province. The new series, based on a popular game of the same name, stars Choi Bo Min, Yoon Hyun Suk, and Kim DoA, all former idols who have transitioned into acting.
This marks Lee Naeun's first official press event since the so-called "April Incident" in 2021. Although she has attended a few photo events over the years, it was the first time she faced questions from the media since her last drama press conference in 2019 for 'Extraordinary You.'
The "April incident" began in 2021 when the family of former member Lee Hyun Joo alleged that she had been bullied by other group members, including Lee Naeun. Following months of accusations, denials, and lawsuits, April officially disbanded in January 2022. Lee Naeun halted all activities at the time and withdrew from her role in SBS's 'Taxi Driver.'
However, despite headlines describing her return as “overcoming controversy,” Korean netizens are far from welcoming. Many criticized the phrasing, arguing that the controversy has never been resolved. One user wrote, "How did she ‘overcome’ it? It’s not even over. She never admitted anything and just kept suing the victim." Another added, "Calling it a comeback after six years is nonsense—she’s been working this whole time."
Other netizens commented:
"'Overcame the controversy'…? She’s still in controversy, just forgotten over time, not like she ignored it and came out of it."
"How exactly did she overcome the controversy????"
"So it’s 'comeback after 3 years,' 'comeback after 4 years,' 'after 5 years,' now 'after 6 years'?"
"Can’t believe they cast her."
"It's not like she's an amazing actress, so why do they keep casting her?"
"Did she explain suing the victim’s underage sibling seven times before coming back?"
"Don’t crawl back out."
"I won’t watch anything she’s in."
"Didn’t she already appear in 'Flex X Cop,' 'Crash,' and 'The Defects'? She’s been active all along, so what comeback?"
"She’s been working this whole time. What comeback?"
"Didn’t she already continue her activities?"
"I really can’t tolerate bullying or school violence — it just shows rotten character."
"Boycott. I’ve already stopped watching Kwak Tube because he defended her."
"She’s the one who sued the victim so much — ridiculous."
"She was never going to be more than a supporting role anyway lol. Seeing her agency pushing her so hard makes me want to boycott the rest of their actors, too."
"Honestly, aside from the controversy, she’s just not a good actress. Why do they keep casting her...?"
"I don’t want to see her."
"She still can’t act. Her company must be working overtime."
"She gives off a bad vibe."
"If she’d at least apologized, maybe, but she sued seven times, lost, and still blames the victims — bye."
"Maybe they call it a 'comeback' every year just to get people talking."
"Is there really any demand for her?"
"Why though? Why do they keep casting her?"
"Oh wow, maybe I just didn’t notice, but yeah, she’s been in a lot of things I’ve seen."
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