TWICE Jihyo Posts Apology Letter to Fans: "I Was Scared by the Rumors... Sorry for Being Emotional" [Full Text]

TWICE member Jihyo profile photo / Photo by JYP Entertainment

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Sung-yeol] Jihyo, a member of the idol group TWICE who was involved in controversy over her 'ung-eung-ung' remarks, has apologized to her fans.

In the early hours of the 7th, Jihyo posted a letter on TWICE's official fan club website starting with, "I am sorry to think that ONCE (TWICE's fan club) might have been hurt and disappointed by yesterday's V Live chat."

In the letter, Jihyo said, "Around March last year, my name was dragged into absurd rumors, and since then, I have been afraid to face people," adding, "At the airport, I was very scared about how people would think of me and what kind of gaze they would have."

She continued, "In August, when my private life was revealed, negative feelings grew too much," confessing, "I went to the hospital, had counseling, and took medication, but it did not help much."

Jihyo said, "During the Japan tour, standing in crowded places was very difficult," and "During MAMA, there were even more people than at the concerts, so it was even scarier."

She added, "When entering Korea, I arrived at a different time from the members because I didn't want to worry (the fans) by showing myself crying again," and said, "I was hurt by many rumors, but I stayed silent because I have my job and my fans."

Jihyo then explained the situation during 'MAMA.'

She said, "I'm not asking for sympathy or wanting people to understand," and "I wanted to explain why I used negative expressions toward someone yesterday," opening up about the 'ung-eung-ung' incident that happened on the 5th.

She expressed, "I have always been sincere to ONCE and have been worried about them," and apologized, "I am very sorry for speaking emotionally yesterday."

TWICE member Jihyo profile photo / Photo by JYP Entertainment

Finally, Jihyo revealed her sincerity to the fans, saying, "I can endure many things, so I hope ONCE doesn't see anything that hurts their feelings," and "I will do well, and I don't want to spend our precious time happily, joyfully, laughing, and shining brightly together on anything else."

Earlier, on the 5th, during a V Live broadcast where she was communicating with fans via chat, Jihyo caused controversy with the expression 'ung-eung-ung' and a sharp attitude while explaining her absence during Mnet's 'MAMA' held in Japan.

The full letter Jihyo posted on the fan club

I am sorry to think that ONCE might have been hurt and disappointed by yesterday's V Live chat.

Let me tell you step by step from the beginning.

Around March last year, my name was dragged into absurd rumors, and since then, my fear of facing people grew.

The reason I cried at the airport was because people were filming me, looking at me, shouting, and I was filled with great fear and terror. I was very scared about how those people would think of me and what kind of gaze they would have.

Then in August, my private life was revealed, and after that, untrue stories came out. Because of that, my anxiety, depression, fear, and all kinds of negative feelings grew too much. Standing in front of people, saying a word, or performing on stage became very scary and difficult.

Even during the tour, my fearful feelings grew so much that I went to the hospital, had counseling, and took medication, but it did not help me much. As time passed, the Japan tour started, and from the Japan concert just before MAMA, standing in crowded places was extremely difficult.

I cried throughout the three-day concert out of fear and really wanted to hide. I performed at MAMA in that state, facing many more people than at concerts, having to speak and perform on stage, which made even breathing difficult for me.

So when entering Korea, I arrived at a different time from the members because I didn't want to worry anyone by showing myself crying or struggling again.

During these times I just talked about, or rather throughout the time since debut and activities, I have seen countless bad words, mocking words, and insults about me. I was very hurt and angry, but I had things I had done, my job, and my fans, so I just stayed quiet.

Regarding the story up to MAMA, this is it.

I'm not asking for sympathy or wanting people to understand. I wanted to explain why I used negative expressions toward someone yesterday.

No matter what I go through, I have never approached ONCE insincerely, never thought ONCE was not precious, and have always worried about ONCE. Yesterday, I was very sincere.

The most regrettable thing is that I know very well that our team and ONCE are going through a very confusing time right now. So I am very sorry for speaking emotionally yesterday. I posted a message as if explaining for the members because of that incident, and while reading those posts and what ONCE said, I thought it was right for me to organize and explain what I did, so I wrote this letter.

I sing, perform on stage, and talk in front of ONCE because I want us to be happy, and I truly sincerely hope for that.

The reason I do this work is because there are ONCE who love me and warmly embrace me. I can endure many things, so I hope ONCE doesn't see anything that hurts their feelings.

In the future, no matter what direction things take, as long as I am a celebrity and an idol, issues will arise and words will be said, but I will do well, and I don't want to spend our precious time happily, joyfully, laughing, and shining brightly together on anything else.

Sorry for making you worry, and thank you, ONCE.