South Korean Media Denies That It Will Broadcast EXO Chen's Hate Ads

JAKARTA - Some time ago, EXO fans, EXO-L were shocked by the news that a group of anti-fans (haters) EXO wanted to rent a large advertisement in the South Korean media. The ad will be filled with a warning to Chen to leave the EXO group.

EXO-L ACE, the group that called Chen antis, did a series of actions to get EXO's main vocalist out. Among them were protesting in front of the SM Entertainment building, as well as boycotting the entire project with Chen in it.

To refresh the memory, at the beginning of this year, the public was shocked by the announcement of Chen's marriage to his non-celebrity girlfriend. This news gets hotter when they find out that Chen's girlfriend is pregnant with their first child.

Most recently, they reportedly rented a large page on South Korean media to ask Chen to leave EXO. They said Chen's treatment was proof of his irresponsibility and distrust as a member of EXO which is one of the most popular groups in K-pop.

They had rented an advertising column in the Ilgan Sports newspaper and asked for Chen's departure and an apology from the agency. JoongAng Daily, which is said to be the place to rent advertisements, was then enlivened by fans asking to refuse the request from the antis.

The power of antis was also defeated by the support group EXO called Eternal9. Reporting from JoongAng Daily, they raised donations to fight hate advertisements as well as LED trucks showing support for Chen.

“He just lives his way the way everyone wants him. We have been here for months and all we want is that Chen is taken care of by his agency who is in charge of Chen and we want EXO to remain nine people, ”said one group member.

Today, Monday, July 27, through their SNS, JoongAng Daily stated that they have never and have no plans to send a targeted advertisement to K-pop idols. They even uploaded the front page of today's newspaper.

The Korea JoongAng Daily would like to inform readers concerned that we are a separate company from the JoongAng Ilbo and Ilgan Sports with our own content and editorial decisions. KJD has never and has no plans to ever run an ad targeting an individual member of a K -pop group.

- Korea JoongAng Daily (@JoongAngDaily) July 27, 2020

A K-pop tradition that grows in the industry is growing without common sense. Due to the image of K-pop idols who have to look pure and good, their names cannot be tarnished with anything that has a negative impression, one of which is dating.

There are countless K-pop artists who have to apologize for being 'caught' dating. Especially Chen, who announced his marriage in the midst of his skyrocketing popularity.

On the other hand, the K-pop industry that is growing rapidly in the international hemisphere has certainly changed the culture itself. The proof, both local and international fans of EXO continue to support Chen and other idols because they are human.

SM Entertainment as an agency once stated that the other EXO members decided Chen couldn't come out on orders. EXO will remain a 9-member group.

Meanwhile, EXO's Chen last appeared in public when he helped take EXO's Suho to the military service camp. SM Entertainment has not issued any statements regarding this matter.