This week, the visual director for major South Korean record label Pledis Entertainment shared a disconcerting post. Working as the visual director for Pledis Entertainment is a big deal. The 17 year old company has launched incredibly important acts over the last two decades, including NU'EST, After School, Seventeen, Pristin, and more. These acts are some of the most beloved and best-selling groups in Korean history.
Still, Pledis is not without its detractors. Especially given the fact that its majority shareholder is HYBE Corporation, who is currently embroiled in a bitter lawsuit with ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin. Lots of venom has been directed at the major labels, but sometimes ordinary people get caught in the crossfire.
In the post on Instagram this week, the visual director of Pledis Entertainment revealed that she had resigned. She was with Pledis for 2 years.
"After working at Pledis for two years, I resigned and came to the US. for a trip,” she wrote. “I’m quite exhausted, so I plan to rest and work as a freelancer. I am grateful to the staff, team members, and members I worked with over the past two years, and I will be cheering for you all!"
The positivity about leaving for the US soon took a darker tone after a flood of online harassment began.
"I am a creator who focuses on planning and visual creation. I do not get involved in member combinations or self-produced content,” she wrote. “I don't have the time or energy for that. Please stop sending excessive comments, DMs, and emails telling me that I'm gross or disgusting. This is a warning.” She then revealed that relentless, malicious comments from fans were part of why she resigned in the first place.
As supportive and warm and kind as most of K-pop fandom culture can be, its hyper-focused, rabid online activity can turn ugly really fast. It’s important to note that for most people at these major corporations, they really only have a small sphere of influence over some very big decisions. Harassing someone personally for things they have no control over doesn’t do anyone any good.
What do you think about bullying and harassment in K-pop fandom culture?