AOA's Yookyung Mentions Jimin and Mina Incident "I Couldn't Even Guess... I Want to Tell Them They Did Well to Endure"

Former AOA member Yookyung. Photo by Yookyung Instagram

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Former AOA member Yookyung recently spoke about the bullying controversy within the group and shared her feelings.

On the 6th, Yookyung opened up on her Instagram, saying, "I think my previous vague post caused confusion, so I am writing again. Memories that I had vowed to bury and had gradually been forgetting resurfaced, and I got angry in that moment."

Yookyung explained, "It was probably the innocent heart of a child who wanted to timidly express to you all, for the first and last time, that I also had a hard time," adding, "In the past, I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t have the capacity to look around."

She continued, "I don’t think I ever guessed that someone else might have been in the same situation as me," and said, "So I sincerely want to apologize. And I want to say you endured well and cheer you on."

She added, "I am okay now. I have voices that constantly support me. Until now, I thought there was nothing to protect me, but that was not true," and "I realized that I have many precious people who love me. That’s enough. It’s sufficient."

Finally, she requested, "Please refrain from hurtful words that make me and everyone unhappy," and expressed, "I am always sincerely grateful to those who support me."

Below is the full text of Yookyung’s Instagram post.

Hello, this is Yookyung. I am writing again because my previous vague post seems to have caused confusion.

I apologize for posting something so ambiguous last time. Memories that I had vowed to bury and had gradually been forgetting resurfaced, and I got angry in that moment.

So, for the first and last time, I timidly wanted to express to you all that I also had a hard time, like a child.

In the past, I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t have the capacity to look around. So I thought I was just watching my struggling self. Even until now, I don’t think I ever guessed that someone else might have been in the same situation as me. So I sincerely want to apologize. And I want to say you endured well and cheer you on.

I am okay now. I have voices that constantly support me. Until now, I thought there was nothing to protect me, and that the only thing I had was a drum set in my studio.

But that was not true. I realized that I have many precious people who love me. That’s enough. It’s sufficient.

Once again, I want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize to those who were hurt by my short and impulsive actions and words. And I want to cheer on all of us who have endured difficult times, encouraging us to be brave and strong again.

Please refrain from hurtful words that make me and everyone unhappy. And I am always sincerely grateful to everyone who supports me.