My first inclination is to make some sort of joke about scandals coming in pairs, but then I realized this is just so oddly timed and the allegations are quite serious that I’m in no mood to make light of the situation. Joo Ji Hoon‘s first comeback drama since his military service discharge (which was precipitated on the heels of his drug use scandal) is the weekend piano melodrama Five Fingers, co-starring Chae Si Ra, Eunjung, and Ji Chang Wook. It won’t air until the end of August when A Gentleman’s Dignity wraps up, and truth be told this drama hasn’t been getting a lot of buzz since its the typical long family-driven fare. That is, until this weekend, when K-ent blew open with a snowballing controversy surrounding leading lady Eunjung’s girl pop group T-ara. The first bit of news involved allegations that one member Hwayoung was getting bullied by the others, which turned one day later into suddenly Hwayoung being kicked out of the group based on reverse-allegations that she was mistreating the staff members. Buh? I know something smells bad even from where I’m sitting.
I think this is just such a out-of-left-field curveball for a drama starring Joo Ji Hoon, himself diligently trying to stay out of the media spotlight for anything relating to a possible scandal, and now a scandal unrelated to him sweeps up his latest project. Netizens are clamoring for Eunjung to be removed from the drama, which I doubt will happen at this stage in production. Before this happened, all I know is that the drama poster and character stills came out recently and I was going to post about how it all seems so dramatic and pretty. Now it comes on the heel of this drama getting tons of press for all the wrong reasons. Whatever is happening with Hwayoung and the rest of T-ara, I hope it all gets resolved amicably and no one gets hurt. I also hope the hurricane of bad press doesn’t spiral out of control and take this drama down with it. I actually like all the posters and stills, since a drama about concert pianists actually has the right to stick its leads in tuxes and evening gowns without looking ridiculous. Now if only someone can take a pair of scissors to Joo Ji Hoon’s hairstyle in this show….
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wish she wasn't the leading lady. never did fancy her acting. she does not give out nice vibes on and off screen.
Good luck for Five Fingers (eunjung & ji hoon) !
even melodrama is not my cup of tea ^^
About the scandal: Like Ms Koala said about QIHM,"Frankly my Dear, I don't care".
What interests me is the drama.
It does seem sometimes like the Korean media is run by the same folks writing the all K-pop articles. Whether the allegations are unfounded or not is beside the point.
Seems like a bullying press for the most part. It saddens me that a story like this about one cast memeber could sink a drama that employs hundreds if not thousands by the time you count supporting and tertiary people - the bakery that supplies craft services, the stores that sell the wardrobe, sources for set design, etc.
I wish the audience could judge it on its own merits.
But this is the same audience that shot MetS into high ratings, so I give up.
Bullying is a very big deal in SK right now and people are incensed. Like incensed, totally crazily incensed. And from the reports dribbling out, with good reason too. People will watch the drama and will not see the character EJ is playing but the person she is and right now, what they'll see is a bully.
The sad thing is there is no proof that bullying occured just a whole bunch of assumptions and interpretations of ambiguous tweets which if people read the tweets without the netizens opinions they do not come off as anywhere near bullying. Its like this whole thing snowballed from the opinions of crazy netizens and is based so little on actual tangible truth and facts.
Calling for her removal??? I wish the netizens would just give all of them some time to deal with this on their own -- it's not like anyone outside the group knows the entire situation...
Even worse, there's even a petition going around asking for T-ara's disbandment.
But the PD of the drama has already made his official stance, in NOT removing Eunjung. That he casted Ham Eunjung and Ham Eunjung only, NOT T-ara.
I don't like CCM (T-ara's agency) and at times find their actions extremist. (Heck, they just recently decided to add TWO NEW members to increase "competition" among the members, so the current members won't become "complacent" and "lazy".) Still, there's no doubt there's already existing tensions among the T-ara members. The members were originally discontent with the decision to add Hwayoung. And now they are taking her out, amidst all the rumors of the members bullying Hwayoung? Truly adding more fuel to fire.
I was honestly upset about the bullying issue cause i am a fan but NO WAY am i skipping this drama just because of the BTS situation. I mean to miss out on this drama is like missing out on your morning coffee.
It is sad as I want to see JCW playing the villian of the evil brother.
It sucks for Joo Ji Hoon since Five Fingers will be his comeback drama after completing military service. The drug scandals were really damaging on his image. Even after two years, some major broadcasting companies are still blacklisting him. Just when I thought JJH might finally begin to revive his career, the T-ara situation blows up. The guy never seems to get a break...
I don't think the drama staff could remove Eunjung even if they wanted too. The script has been written, posters have been made, and filming might have commenced before the whole fiasco even began. Honestly, I feel that Eunjung would be removed from the cast if the scandal happened a lot sooner. With only two weeks before the air date, it'll be difficult to find another replacement.
I'm still undecided on whether I would give the drama a chance. I've been looking forward to JJH's comeback ever since he left for the military. Compared to other idol actors, Eunjung's acting is mediocre at best. She couldn't seem to portray her characters very well. I would hate to see another Big where the male lead was carrying the entire drama.
Dont worry! From the drama teaser, I think Chae Si Ra will be main leading lady not Eunjung.. ^^
All in all I just hope Five Fingers won't suffer / recieve bad reviews because of Eunjung. I've waited too too too long for Joo Ji Hoon. And no one shall stop me. =___=.
The whole T-ara thing is just BS. Tho I do feel bad for Hwayoung as I did read/watch/look at articles with evidence that clearly did contain bitchyness from the other members towards her. BUT. Cannot help but think this was all planned from the start. This is why I no longer follow the kpop scene (Shinhwa/TeenTop are my only biases)...It's full of lies, fake tears, and schemes to earn more money.
Hyomin had began by writing, “The differences in levels of determination^^, Let us all have more determination. Fighting!!!”
Member Jiyeon then resonded, “The differences in levels of determination ^^, Always be humble ^^ and sensible ^^ I applaud you, acting genius ^^”
Eunjung added, “A position can make or break a person, but determination can make a person too. Sigh, it’s unfortunate. You have to know to take care of the people around you.”
There is absolutely no evidence here that they were bullying her though. Jiyeon looks like she is possibly bullying someone but Eunjung's tweet seemed to be encouraging her not bullying her and Hyomin's tweets don't even seem aimed at anyone. How the heck did tweets like those come off as bitchy. Lets be real if you remove the netizens only Jiyeon's tweet comes off as even slightly bitchy. Its sad that tweets like that snowballed to this whole mess. Its funny just how much people believe assumptions and interpretations.
You need to take it into consideration that the tweets happened the same day she couldn't perform with them the whole set because she was on crutches/wheelchair.
Don't forget, Hwayoung's follow-up tweet also mentioned about "determination", about how sometimes having just determination isn't enough.
Hwayoung had tweeted, “Sometimes, even determination alone is not enough. At times like these, I feel upset but I trust that it’s a blessing in disguise from the heavens. God, you know everything right?”
i'm only worried about this for JJH's sake because he deserves a proper comeback and this is just not fair to him....as for the rest of the kpop aspect of this, i dont't give a rat's ass....most of these kpop management are snide, deceptive monkeys anyways
I agree. I have been waiting for JJH'c comeback and issues arising related to the other cast of the drama makes me worry about him.
As for T-Ara's issue, what I just don't understand is Kwang Soo of CCM. I don't like how he said to keep quiet to Hwayoung. He aired his side but he doesn't want Hwayoung to speak for herself amidst of these controversies? Freedom of speech please!
I agree with both of you.. JJH's return to tv is crucial to his career and this drama is a great chance for him.. however it sucks that T-ara's controversy is blowing over and possibly affect the airing of this drama.. let's hope everything works out for him!
Completely and utterly agree. I just hope all these scandals don't hurt Five Fingers and JJH too much. Because JJH is daebak and seriously deserves his chance to shine.