Red Velvet’s Irene admitted to being the celebrity mentioned in the fashion editor’s post and wrote a letter of apology. But still, the controversy over her rude actions is most likely to continue as more people started to testify against her.
Earlier on October 20, stylist and fashion editor Kang Kook Hwa posted a lengthy post on her Instagram and exposed a celebrity’s rude actions. She wrote, “I had already prepared myself from all the stories I’ve heard before I met her. But today, I lost my words as this person stung me with her words that are like electric needles ⦠I had to stand still in front of that loathsome face that was hysterically throwing a fit at me.”
Although she didn’t directly mention who the celebrity was, she included two hashtags at the end, “#psycho” and “#monster.” Since then, suspicions have been raised that the person involved in the abuse of power was Irene, and the scandal started to spread like wildfire.
Irene personally stepped up and apologized, saying, “I sincerely apologize for hurting the stylist with my foolish attitude and rash words and actions.” And soon after that, Kang Kook Hwa deleted her post.
But the public reaction is still chilly. Even Red Velvet’s fans rolled up their sleeves to demand her exit from the group, saying, “If Irene continues to act as a member of Red Velvet, it is inevitable that this incident will follow like a tag and damage the group’s image.”
On top of that, more industry’s insider started to testify against the singer. Other staff, especially stylists, who are believed to have worked with Irene, responded to the roaring controversy by saying, “In the end, what we all knew exploded,” or “She has always been like that.”
Even a stylist from China exposed Irene’s alleged rudeness. In her Weibo post, she wrote, “Anyone who has worked with her will know. ⦠I’ve only worked with her for a day, and I already feel sorry for those who have to work with her every day in Korea. She is rude and haughty.”
In the end, Red Velvet decided to pull out of the “2020 K-Culture Festival.” The group has been working as the official ambassadors of the event along with Super Junior K.R.Y. However, with the continued controversy over Irene, SM Entertainment has asked the event organizer to cancel the fan meeting.