Ladies' Code appear on 'Eye Contact' and discuss the events around the accident for the first time

[adenar.livejournal.com]

(the above video is unsubbed; write-up by soompi)

For the first time in five years, Ladies’ Code spoke about the tragic car accident which led to the passing of their members EunB and RiSe.

On September 3, 2014, Ladies’ Code was involved in a serious car accident when they were on their way back to Seoul after an event. EunB passed away that day while RiSe passed away four days later on September 7. Sojung was seriously injured in the accident.

For the November 11 episode of Channel A’s “Eye Contact,” members Ashley and Zuny invited Sojung to the show to talk about the accident and how it’s affected her birthday, which was on the same day as the accident. Ashley talked about how hard it is for Sojung, who should be able to have a happy day like anyone else on their birthday, and she shared her hope that Sojung will be able to celebrate with her loved ones without a heavy heart.

In addition, Ashley explained that while they always talk amongst themselves about EunB and RiSe, they haven’t ever spoken about what happened on the day of the accident.

Sojung said in a private interview, “After we did a broadcast that day, we went somewhere pretty far away to do an event.” She shared that it was raining a lot on the way back, and they’d all been tired. They went to a rest stop, and when she came back to their van from the restroom, her members surprised her with a cake made of choco pies (snack cakes) with birthday candles. They sang to her and apologized because it was all they could do for her birthday.

“I told them it was okay because we were busy, and then I got in and we drove off,” she said. “We were so tired, so I fell asleep on the way. To be honest, that’s my last memory of that. I think I was probably taken to the hospital then.”

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you can read the rest of the article at the source.
The article includes some non-graphic discussion of the injuries some members suffered and descriptions of ptsd/trauma/nightmares.

sources: Channel A Home (2), soompi via naver + previous source

Comments

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

I've always thought a lot about the aspect of the accident being on Sojung's birthday and while this doesn't surprise me I hope one day she can enjoy her day again.

I always liked the group - was there since day one - but the accident made me very, very protective of them. I stopped caring about them rising and wanted them to just be at peace/happy whether that meant more music or just them going back to more regular lives.

I'm grateful they have each other and Polaris allowing them the time to properly build strength back up & supporting them is honestly the best possible outcome from this you could ask for. I just completely, completely adore them and only want the best for them forever.

[adenar.livejournal.com]

So, first off, while you're here, please listen to some Ladies' Code songs/covers/etc. It saddens me that people turn up to these posts/articles again and again to discuss the tragedy without knowing the group, just knowing the accident. (for example, their most viewed video on youtube is the video of one of the funerals, and that's appalling imo)















Second of all, I really hope they went on this of their own accord, and not at an agency's hope that bringing up the accident again will get some attention back on them.

I've always wondered about Sojung and the accident happening on her birthday. We always knew that the accident would have affected her differently due to her being unconscious/semiconscious for most of it and not being able to be operated on for several days, compared to Zuny and Ashley who only sustained minor injuries and were conscious. It's still unpleasant to hear what they've had to go through. I think the conclusion of the episode was satisfying; hearing that her members want her to be able to celebrate her birthday, but also that they fully understand why she feels unable to, and making a future goal to one day be able to, is a level of nuance I wouldn't have expected from such a show.

Ultimately, I love these girls to the moon and back. If they announced tomorrow that they were disbanding I would be sad but would 100% support them. If they announced tomorrow that they were going on a world tour, I would 100% support them. Whatever is best for them, whatever they want to do, I'll support them.

eta: someone on reddit commented 'always eat the cake' and, yeah, I guess that'll be my personal take away, and I hope the girls have that attitude now too. Always eat the cake.

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

I agree with your first point!!! It always gets on my nerves when the only thing they talk about is the accident. I’ve been with these girls since their amazing debut, they have a great discography, memorable choreography, they were funny on variety show stuff, just...😡 I want people to know how amazing all 5 girls are, that they aren’t just the girl group that had a tragic accident.

[sciencebottle.livejournal.com]

I love this whole comment, thank you <3

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

Galaxy is amazing.

[in-noctem.livejournal.com]

I read this on my morning commute and it wasn't the best decision. It was really heart-wrenching hearing what transpired before and after the accident, and having to perform Pretty, Pretty. The hosts' reaction were mine basically.

I remember that day so clearly and just being in shock. I've loved their music since the start, and will continue to support them in whatever they choose to pursue. And I wish Sojung nothing but the best :-( I love their friendship so much.

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting this op!!! I was watching/reading this at work and I was very emotional. It wasn’t my best decision as I had to hide my tears.

I completely understand where Sojung is coming from, and I’m glad the girls are so supportive of each other. Ladies Code is one of my favorite groups ever (if I had to do a top 3, mine would be a mix of Ladies Code, Dreamcatcher, and Twice) - I just want happiness for these girls.

And the cake part really stood out me :((((( I get angry thinking about it, in the sense that they couldn’t enjoy it due to societal/industry pressure.

[adenar.livejournal.com]

The cake makes me so mad, it's such a small moment but a sign of so much that's wrong with this industry. It was her birthday but they still felt under pressure not to make an exception and celebrate? Just waste their money? And with Sojung recovering from anorexia too? Just urgh.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

I watched the whole show yesterday, and between the soompi transcript and my basic Korean, it had me crying the whole time basically. I can't believe that somehow it's already been 5 years...

if someone wants to sub this, please hit me up! I would love to offer my services as a timer/typesetter!

[kyulkyung.livejournal.com]

it's really brave of them to do this. i hope sojung can start enjoying her birthday again sometime in the future, or at least feel more positive about it.

rise was one of my favorite idols, i still can't believe she and eunb are gone.

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

The Soompi write up (paired with screen captures) was hard enough to read, I don't think I'll be watching the video.
I hope the girls agreed with full knowledge before taking part into this show and adressing these topics. I really don't want them to be forced to relieve their trauma as a way to make people talk about them...
I'm glad they have each other for support <3 They also talk about turning to people outside of the group (like family and friends) which implies a reliable support system as well.
I hope Sojung will be able to celebrate her birthday one day. I understand how hard it can be for her still... The part about the choco pie cake broke my heart, there seemed to still be so much guilt underneath :( maybe her close ones could gather on a different date to celebrate her birthday, to begin with?
It's still surreal. I can't believe five years flew by...

[adenar.livejournal.com]

The nuanced ending (Sojung can't accept the offer right now but would like to work towards accepting it in the future, and the girls support her either way) and the respectful way the hosts handled it give me hope that this was on their own terms, it was very much about the girls themselves and how it affected them. But yes I also share your caution, especially when in the episode itself they talk about having to do things before they're ready.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I'm ready to read this yet
They were the first nugy I reallyyyy got into and it still hurt to listen to the ot5 songs

Thanjs for posting op

[sciencebottle.livejournal.com]

I didn't know LC well when the accident happened, but I remembered being so profoundly sad that day. I listened to 'I'm Fine thank you' so much for the next week. My heart still aches for them. I hope that they did this of their own will and that they were comfortable. I feel happy that they had the courage to talk about what happened publicly, but I hope that they don't feel pressured to open up more after this, and can go at their own pace when they want, if they want to. <3

[coyote-revolver.livejournal.com]

Reading the transcript was really hard. I can really relate to what Sojung said about feeling as if it wasn't real and EunB and Rise had just gone on a holiday.

I always had a soft spot for them bc even though I was a very casual listener, I thought of them kinda like a 'baby Spica' group: 5 member group with great vocalists and really underrated tracks.

They are very strong and I wish them all the best going forward. I hope they also have had therapy because from the transcript of the interviews it kinda seems like they didn't receive it :(

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

‘I hope they also have had therapy because from the transcript of the interviews it kinda seems like they didn't receive it :(’

I got that vibe too :(((

[mymanhas2jobs.livejournal.com]

my former roommate and very close friend committed suicide on my 20th birthday. sojung i feel you <3

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

I'm really sorry.

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

The caption explained that Ashley had found out the news about their members through a news report.

That's really... wow. I remember hearing this a few years ago but I thought it was just an unconfirmed rumor.

Polaris honestly did such a great job handling this tragedy and giving the girls enough time to rest.