(TW) Ex-AOA Member Mina clarifies worrying post and opens up about other members being bystanders

[juhli.livejournal.com]

Former #AOA Member Mina Clarifies Worrying Post And Opens Up About Relationship With AOA Membershttps://t.co/LLLvZkHPNT pic.twitter.com/jCYKiCDMqR

— Soompi (@soompi) August 6, 2020

Warning: discussion of suicide and self-harm.

Former AOA member Mina has posted on her Instagram account to share her thoughts.

In July, Mina wrote a series of posts with details about being bullied by her former member Jimin for several years, and Jimin left the group after this was revealed. On August 5, Mina shared an update with her fans through an Instagram broadcast and said she was doing well.

On August 6, Mina uploaded a graphic photo of her wrist on her Instagram and wrote the following post:

"I’ll just say everything. But before that, to my fans and the public, don’t worry. I did a photo shoot, which I really enjoy, and this photo is what happened after I recently exchanged KakaoTalk messages with an FNC employee. I talked to the employee about [Jimin’s] statement, telling them, “What does she mean she apologized? She shouldn’t lie.”

They told me they’d check, and a while later they said that’s what it looked like to them. Someone who came to apologize opens their eyes like that, looks for a knife, speaks like that, says they don’t remember, and looks me straight in the eye? If she can’t remember, how can I receive an apology? I give up. Anyway, the FNC employee’s message was so outrageous that I attempted suicide again, and my manager from my current agency quickly rushed here and took me to a university hospital.

I cut [my wrist] so many times that my nerves are all damaged and the anaesthetic doesn’t work, so I had to go through the entire pain of the stitches. The doctors injected painkillers for me. I feel guilty for giving the doctors such a hard time. I don’t know what she sees in me, but my ex-manager unni stayed by my side the whole time.

And at the end of [Jimin’s] statement, I don’t know who told her to do this, but it said, “Mina-e-gae” (“To Mina” misspelled in Korean; “gae” means dog) at first and was edited to “Mina-e-ge” (correct spelling of “To Mina”). Why did she apologize to my dog? I heard she was halting her activities in the entertainment industry, but does that mean she’ll be back when things get quiet? I won’t see that happen. I was in so much more pain for 11 years. She still has her Instagram account and YouTube channel.. Why am I saying this when I have them too? At least I never lied to her. She’ll never understand the pain I went through. I have a clear conscience. She even wrote “Fiction” and took it down because her manager told her to, and she sleeps well using pills.

At the end, when I told FNC that I was suffering because of her, they got me a psychiatrist, so I thought they were really thinking of me. But that psychiatrist told me other people’s stories. Isn’t it illegal for psychiatrists to talk to me about what another person went through? It makes me think that they might have told someone else about my story. I’ve never complained once about my trainee debt or my payment. When I was told to say a phrase, that’s all I did. Someone who actually made requests talked about a solo career. Parents coming in and telling [the company] to let their daughter do a certain activity? My parents only came in the beginning when they had to, and they never came after that. My parents and I, unlike other people, never said a word of complaint. I fell countless times and still do to this day, but I’ll get better. I’m going to persistently get better and try to live on while only looking forward, and I’m trying now.

But FNC and [Jimin], was it so hard to say a sincere word of apology? I used to not think much and was bright and optimistic. I didn’t have to take pills for depression or insomnia and didn’t have social phobia or social anxiety. I used to sleep 15 hours a day, but now I wake up after an hour of sleep. Is everyone doing well? I’m sure that in a big company, you wouldn’t care about one person like me. If you did care, you would have contacted me at least once. I’m scared that you’ll be thinking of me as a crazy psycho. It’s already too late for a sincere apology. Please think about and care about each trainee, singer, actor, and sunbaenim and take care of them so no one turns out like me again. When I say that I can’t renew the contract because of a certain person, ask me what’s happening and how much I’m suffering, instead of talking about the damages for breach of contract because of the next scheduled events and advertisements.

President, when you said that the deposit for the contract renewal “isn’t given to you based on your mental pain,” you were right. That’s correct, and that’s why I’ve already given you the payment, but I’m still honestly having a hard time. But there are a lot of people who are supporting me, and the people at my current agency think of me as a person first, and that helps me a lot.

Someone on YouTube saw my wrist and said something like, “It seems like Mina needs attention. She’s wanting to receive attention,” and from a third party’s point of view that is certainly what it can seem like. How strange must I seem? But I’ve only spoken about a small portion of the whole. The reason I talked to the world about something I hadn’t been able to properly tell my closest friend of 11 years or my family, even now, is not because I wanted attention. It’s true that I’m an attention-seeker, but seeking attention through this incident? No. I’ll tell you something. If I wanted attention, I could have stopped at saying I wanted to die and harming myself. But I really attempted to take my own life several times. I shouldn’t think this way, but I was suffering so much and wanted to die so much that I felt resentful of the people who came to save me. My family says they’re scared. They cry when I’m taken to the hospital, passed out with blood all over and my wrist open. What did my family do wrong.. I’m so frustrated and angry that I can’t sleep, and I wonder why I’m still a victim, who I should tell all of this to, and who I should be asking for a compensation for my broken self. I hope there won’t be anyone like me in the future."



Fans expressed their concern for Mina after the post was uploaded, and her current agency Woori Actors reassured fans saying, “Mina is in good health currently. She’s resting at home after being discharged from the hospital.”

Later in the day, she shared another Instagram post to clarify her earlier post and answer questions she received.

The post reads as follows:

"I didn’t attempt suicide right now. It was something I did around a month ago after talking to an FNC employee. And there have been many people asking me through DMs (direct messages) about why I unfollowed the members, cursing at me, or telling me to explain something, and I’ll talk about that because I don’t think I’ve done anything to deserve to be cursed at..

First, everyone knows about the incident with Shin Ji Min unni so you probably understand that. Best friend Kim did not bat an eye when Shin unni spoke ill of Kim herself. I used to think of Kim as a good friend, but I wasn’t able to get closer to her because she was Shin’s best friend. I got worried about her and gave her sincere advice and truly worried about her. Of course, all of the members knew that I was having a hard time because of Shin unni, and when we spoke together at the end, Kim said she didn’t care what happens and just didn’t like the current situation.

From my point of view, she was a bystander, and what she said disappointed me. When they all came with Shin Ji Min unni to give the apology that didn’t even seem like an apology, the other younger “Kim” asked, “What was a good memory you had?” She’s young, so even when she nagged, I let her do it. I know she’s young, but I utterly couldn’t understand why she said that. Cursing about that unni in front of me and getting on her good side behind me, that might be what social life is, but as someone who’s not good with my social life, she didn’t seem sincere, and I couldn’t understand her. And Seo unni did sincerely care about me and think about me, but no one stepped forward in front of Shin Ji Min unni. Same-aged Shin at least told unni, “Why can’t you remember? Even I know it and everyone knows it.” She also told me to receive a proper apology, but how can I when the apology isn’t proper? In my eyes, yes, someone used the word “bystander,” the Kims, especially the best friend, were bystanders from my point of view, so I unfollowed her first. Later, I wanted to erase my memories of AOA, so I unfollowed all of them. I’m not asking you to understand my reasoning or to stop sending me DMs, but I just wanted to honestly talk about my stance and my thoughts."


Mina also shared an update with fans through a live Instagram broadcast. While shooting a pictorial with bnt International on August 5, she held a live broadcast on the magazine’s Instagram account. “It’s my first time filming in a while, so it feels a bit strange,” she said. “It’s a very polished concept.”

In addition to getting to see her take photos for the shoot, fans also got an update on how she’s been.

“I’ve been doing well,” she said. “My hair’s gotten really long too.” She expressed her thanks to her fans for their messages of support.

“I’m walking a flower road now,” she commented. “I hope we see each other a lot in the future.” She shared her plans to be really active with work.

She also said she wants to communicate with fans often. “I’m preparing a lot in order to communicate with you,” Mina said. “You’ll be very surprised later.”

Mina shared, “I’m receiving treatment so that I can work soon. Step by step, I’m going to try hard so that I can do the work I enjoy and act.”

source: @soompi, soompi 2, kvwowv 2, naver 2 3 4

Wishing the best to Mina :(

If you would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to seek help and reach out. Click here for a list of international hotlines that you can call, and if you can’t find your country listed, please call your local emergency number.

Comments

[timetobegin.livejournal.com]

She's really struggling deeply. If anything, I'm just more worried now. I hope she's got people looking after her at all times :(

[horichansenpai.livejournal.com]

:'( biggest hugs to Mina right now.

[gathyou.livejournal.com]

Thank you OP for all the trigger warnings, it's very appreciated

I'm still really worried about Mina. I'm glad she clarified some statements but people need to keep in mind that recovery isn't linear. She can feel better at some moments, and worse at others, and we need to support her.


I hope her new company supports her well, they seemed to try at least.
"But there are a lot of people who are supporting me, and the people at my current agency think of me as a person first, and that helps me a lot." gives me a little bit of hope.
Her company still need to shield her from FNC though, FNC should NOT be in direct communication with Mina for any reason. That's triggering in itself to be contacted by your former company with such a trauma, but if on top of that they're being openly aggressive towards her...

"When I say that I can’t renew the contract because of a certain person, ask me what’s happening and how much I’m suffering, instead of talking about the damages for breach of contract because of the next scheduled events and advertisements. President, when you said that the deposit for the contract renewal “isn’t given to you based on your mental pain,” you were right. That’s correct, and that’s why I’ve already given you the payment" makes me believe that they made her pay despite her waiting for the end of her contract to leave the agency. Not that I'm surprised... but I'm still pissed off. It's evil, it's totally negating her as a human being.

The part about the psychiatrist is making me so angry as well
when I told FNC that I was suffering because of her, they got me a psychiatrist, so I thought they were really thinking of me. But that psychiatrist told me other people’s stories. Isn’t it illegal for psychiatrists to talk to me about what another person went through? It makes me think that they might have told someone else about my story.
I REALLY HOPE that she has another psychiatrist by now. Or if not, THAT SHE CHANGES ASAP. You can't make progress in therapy if you don't trust your psychiatrist, and this is a very valid reason to NOT trust them.

Also pissed that she has to talk even further about the abuse because of pressure from netizens. They're not going to stop as who was bystander vs. who was supportive... I'm sure they're now going to argue to defend their faves, or use the information as a way to tear down everyone. There's no winning and it's very worrying. I don't want Mina to be harrassed any further.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

Ok so I had to look up last names to decipher the confrontation

Younger Kim is Chanmi, Shin unnie is Hyejeong, SEO unnie is Yuna, Same aged Kim is Seohyun. So, if I'm translating it right, based on that she's saying Hyejeong tried to hold Jimin accountable in that moment, Yuna has always(?)/then expressed genuine concern/care while Seohyun was on Jimin's side and Chanmi seemingly was trying to either be on both sides or appeal to Jimin instead. Her unfollowing everyone and wanting to erase AOA makes enough sense to me in that regard. There's so much of this I can't speak to due to cultural differences but there's SO MUCH horrific about the treatment of her and that doctor's behavior? I imagine it was an attempt to minimize her pain or maybe some misguided attempt for her to find community in other abused people at the company? Either way, YIKES

All I want at this point is for her to be happy and healthy. I wonder if speaking it out is therapeutic and helping her, or at least I hope it is, and will keep her in my thoughts all the time. Please be well Mina, we're all rooting for you 💖

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the names, I only recognized seolhyun as the best friend. So she really knew about it but didn't care. She also didn't care when Jimin sad bad things about her... Guess she was afraid that Jimin would also start bullying her.

Reads like the entire group was afraid of Jimin. Wow...

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

I do know respect of elders is a whole cultural mindset in korean society so between that and Jimin being the leader I truly wonder how that affected the group's general dynamic both during the time Mina was there and during this. Hyejeong trying to get Jimin to take some accountability, Yuna being someone Mina recognized was trying to be there for her and the other two on Jimin's side more firmly. it's a lot

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

This translation is a bit weird tbh
Other translation said hye told her to get a proper apology (not settle for less)

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

oh word?

Well either way Hyejeong was advocating for her and Yuna was/is in her corner emotionally while the others were not

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Thank you for posting!!! I watched this as it was happening and I was very confused just going off of the IG translation. I remember reading her first post and then refreshing the black box post was added and I was just getting very nervous. And I have to call out IG the picture of her wrist uncensored was up FOR A LONG TIME. I expected it to have the trigger warning/sensitive content blur but when I clicked on her page - oh god it was completely visible :(((( idk how it works to determine something as sensitive content but it seems extremely irresponsible to have it uncensored for quite awhile.

I know recovery isn’t a straight line, but I just want the best for her. She’s been through so much :((((

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Also this just confirms that I can’t in good faith follow Seolhyun anymore. She aligned herself with Jimin. I know they’re best friends but it says a lot in general. It does sound like she was trying to protect herself, but here was a moment she could’ve made a difference and that didn’t happen. I was hoping my initial assumptions were wrong :(

[aures.livejournal.com]

thank you for sharing these updates OP

[radowan.livejournal.com]

I don’t know what she sees in me, but my ex-manager unni stayed by my side the whole time.

I'm literally crying.

Fuck Jimin and fuck FNC. That psychiatrist should be sued if they spread their patients' stories. Also that “Mina-e-gae” apology? How the fuck can anyone act like this?? After everything Mina has already endured???

[myungung.livejournal.com]

I guess this explains why she unfollowed the other 2 members. My heart breaks for her to continue going through all this and to be constantly blamed. Netizens can go fuck off also, have they not learnt from Hara and Sulli?!
I’m all for her taking her path of recovery and I guess her posting this is a process for her as well as trying to clear herself. Truly hope that the company is treating her well as she says, and that she be free from FNC

[myrrhcat.livejournal.com]

I still don't want to judge the other members one way or the other because it seems Jimin had a lot of influence, especially as the leader and oldest member. Between the Korean culture of deferring to one's seniors and the way abusers tend to manipulate everyone around them, I have a hard time placing too much blame on them unless more damning evidence comes out.

for now, I think the conversation should remain centered around Mina and wishing her nothing but the best.

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

I see she deleted the 2 posts from yesterday, I didn’t know the black box post she has up is a newer one. Mina is struggling :(

[jackieee94.livejournal.com]

I want the best for her :( Fuck everyone that brought her pain and harm. Fuck everyone that only stood back and watched.

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

the poor woman. i hope she'll be okay eventually. her therapist that fnc hired seems like a piece of work who should get their licence taken away. i'm so happy woori is a better agency for her--they seem to really like and care for her, and they're doing great by her.

i'm so upset chanmi is one of the girls who didn't really help in this situation, just gave her empty words. it sounds like she was trying to support both sides--mina AND jimin. like we say for other situations--not picking a side inherently means picking and supporting the abuser over the victim. by not supporting one over the other, chanmi did that. she is the maknae, and she's only turned 24 this year, after debuting at 15, so most of this was going on throughout her adolescence, which is i guess why mina gave her a pass for most of it. but even teenagers should know better.
it's just frustrating because being bullied by the public for her looks and attitude, she should have sympathised more with mina. and it really seemed like she did. there are lots of clips of her outright defying jimin, rolling her eyes at her, etc. that's why we thought she was on mina's side. but i guess she also deferred to jimin as her leader and senior. korean culture is difficult to navigate for sure.

i'm glad mina has such a good friend in hyejeong. she seems to have been good support for her, and they've hung out recently. yuna also sticking up for her clearly helped, although mina says she didn't always notice. at least having two people in her corner must have been a benefit. there are groups that didn't even have that.

it's still shocking it got to this point. other groups like 5dolls and girl's day that had actual bullying scandals* had changes in members super quickly (in the former it was the victim who was kicked out :( but at least in girl's day it was the alleged bullies who were ousted). but in this case it was allowed to fester for 7 years, and that's just ridiculous. but considering how fnc has stuck by most of its idols who were in serious scandals, i guess we shouldn't be too surprised they stuck with a bully over its victim to the point of gaslighting the victim..... nope i'm still mad

**eta: i don't mean that this isn't a bullying scandal, i mean as opposed to t-ara's which was never actually a bullying scandal, just evolved into one through gossip, hearsay and misinformation.

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

‘ girl's day it was the alleged bullies who were ousted’

I didn’t know that! That could be why girls day have such a close bond as they were able to enjoy each others company with less drama as members that caused problems were out of the group early

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

yeah, allegedly the original two girls were upsetting/bullying minah (there was this huge age gap between them and her because they were closer to sojin's age & idk if that contributed to it) and as i understand, the company loved minah, so they forced them to leave. then they added hyeri and yura and those five girls were much closer. the final four are still super close and hang out a lot despite the age gap. i don't think there's been any more intra-group drama for them since debut!

[dior-chic.livejournal.com]

Mina is doing REALLY bad right now :(((( she harmed herself again