Chuu Removed From LOONA After BlockBerryCreative Conflict – Billboard

Chuu is no longer a member of the K-pop girl group LOONA, and events surrounding her departure have caused a stir in the media and music industry in Korea.

BlockBerryCreative, the K-pop girl group’s label, announced through LOONA’s online “fan cafe” on Friday that Chuu had been fired and left the 12-member outfit. The fan cafe post is only available to subscribers on the website Korean, but local media shared the news and information widely. In the report, the agency cited an investigation that found Chuu using “violent language” and “abuse of authority over employees” (as shared by a translation from Soompi)

BlockBerryCreative’s relationship with Chuu has been a source of concern among fans and has been subject to media speculation over the past year.

In the spring, rumors emerged that Chuu took legal action in 2021 to cut parts of his exclusive contract with BlockBerryCreative. By summer, the storylines changed to Chuu joining a new management label and starting his own agency. BlockBerryCreative denied any change in management. Still, the 23-year-old did not participate in LOONA’s world tour that visited North America, Europe and Asia from August to October of this year or their recent Japanese single “Luminous.” Chuu has remained busy, with numerous television appearances, promoting a YouTube channel, and releasing solo singles as LOONA’s most visible member.

In the spring, Chuu was said to have taken legal action in 2021 to cut parts of his exclusive contract with BlockBerryCreative. By summer, stories ranged from Chuu joining a new management label to starting his own agency. BlockBerryCreative denied that it was transferring management. Still, the 23-year-old did not participate in LOONA’s world tour that visited North America, Europe and Asia from August to October of this year, or their recent Japanese single “Luminous.” Chuu has engaged in numerous television appearances, promoting a YouTube channel and releasing solo singles as the most visible member of LOONA.

On November 28, BlockBerryCreative followed up with another statement saying that the firing was not retaliatory. The label said it was up to the parties to share specific evidence. It asked the media to refrain from speculative information, after identifying articles that questioned the claims and intentions of BlockBerryCreative.

Notice board repeatedly reached out to a representative of BlockBerryCreative for comment as the stories unfolded. A representative confirmed Chuu’s removal from LOONA and pointed to previously shared information.

Several K-pop stars and industry experts have shown public support for Chuu. Singer Sunmi posted a selfie with Chuu after news of the eviction broke, while Korean music journalist Joy Park shared her memories of Chuu and LOONA’s signed album. on his Twitter account. Kim Do Heon, another Korean music critic, criticized BlockBerryCreative’s statement via a Twitter post.

For his part, Chuu shared a short message via Instagram Story. On Monday, the star wrote that he had no contact with her and knew nothing about the recent events. He shared that he would make another statement soon but told fans that he hasn’t done anything they would disapprove of.

Another report surfaced on Monday stating that nine of the 11 remaining members of LOONA (Heejin, Haseul, Yeojin, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, Choery, Yves, Go Won and Olivia Hye) were taking legal action to break their contracts with BlockBerryCreative. The agency dismissed the rumours. A representative of BlockBerryCreative told Notice board that the report is “baseless.”

LOONA (whose Korean name translates to “Girl of the Moon”) began their journey in 2016 with an ambitious plan to introduce each member with their own solo music and their divisions between members before all 12 members finally came together in August 2018 for [+ +] EP. LOONA has since received many entries on World Albums and even sent them [12:00] Billboard 200 Album. The group hit No. 1 on the Global Digital Singles Chart with their singles “365” and “Shake It” and also became one of the few K-pop acts to enter the Pop Airplay chart with an English single, ” A star.”