Yesterday the pre-order phase for the new Loona album started, but the news wasn't received with the usual joy. The girl group's fans have announced that they will boycott the album, and we are not offering it in our shop either.
If you haven't heard anything about all the commotion and are wondering what's going on, you've come to the right place. We've summed up the events of the last few weeks for you!
On November 25, Chuu was removed from Loona.
Blockberry Creative, Loona's agency, released a statement saying that Chuu was kicked out because she “abused her power” and treated staff badly. Among other things, she is said to have insulted the staff.
Fans reacted critically to the statement right away. Throughout the year, Chuu had repeatedly been absent from the girl group's activities. Among other things, she did not take part in Loona's first world tour LOONATHEWORLD, which started in August. But she had already been absent from concerts at the beginning of the year, too. Fans suspected that there were disagreements between Chuu and the agency and that this is why she had to sit out more often.
In June, there were also rumors that Chuu was discussing a contract with another agency.
Chuu's staff defended the idol!
Not long after Blockberry Creative released the statement, various people who have worked with Chuu came to her defense. They told how warm-hearted Chuu is and that she cares more about the well-being of her staff than about herself.
By now, the list of staff members who have spoken up for Chuu is long: it includes choreographers, producers, journalists, writers, photographers and countless team members from shows that Chuu has filmed.
Even Hyunjin from Loona has spoken out. On a platform where idols can chat with fans, she said that her heart hurts and that she is very angry.
It is obvious that something about Blockberry Creative's statement is not right. The agency had already been criticized before for not treating Loona well. During the European leg of the LOONATHEWORLD tour in September, for example, several different members of the girl group were absent entirely or partly for health reasons. Fans were worried that the members are overworked and don't get enough breaks.
On November 28, Blockberry Creative released another statement.
In the statement, the agency asks the media and fans not to spread rumors so that the members of Loona don't come to harm and can return to their activities.
Blockberry Creative also said that Chuu would have the right to present evidence of her innocence. The agency is of the opinion that it has already investigated the matter sufficiently, and if anyone still wanted to clear up misunderstandings, they should reveal the truth publicly.
Blockberry Creative would cooperate if someone wants to make content related to the incident public.
9 Loona members have filed a motion to suspend their contracts.
On November 28, the broadcaster JTBC reported that nine of Loona's now 11 members have filed for an injunction to pause their exclusive contracts with Blockberry Creative. The members in question are Heejin, Haseul, Yeojin, Jinsoul, Choerry, Gowon, Yves, Kim Lip and Olivia Hye.
Blockberry Creative has denied the news but has not released an official statement.
Even though there is no confirmation yet, fans support the decision and hope that in the end the whole group will leave Blockberry Creative.
On November 29, Chuu speaks out publicly for the first time.
On Instagram, the singer explained that she herself still has to understand the situation. She assures everyone that she has done nothing her fans should be ashamed of. She also thanks the fans for worrying about her and for comforting her.
On December 5, the Loona Union posted an open letter to Blockberry Creative and demanded an official statement on the situation, otherwise they would boycott the agency. There was no response from the agency.
The Loona Union is an alliance of Loona fans in and outside of South Korea.
On December 11, Blockberry Creative announced a new Loona album on Twitter!
It is called The Original Album ‘0’ and is due to be released on January 4. Of course, only 11 members are on it. Chuu is missing.
As soon as the announcement and the first teasers were released, fans announced that they would boycott the album. Since, for example, the Loona Union had already announced beforehand that they would start a boycott, this is no big surprise.
The main reason is the current situation and Chuu's unfair removal from the group, but that's not all. In September, Yeojin told her fans that she has not received any payment from Blockberry Creative since Loona's debut in 2018. Chuu also explained earlier on a show called “Dr.O Oh's Golden Clinic", that she had no income at all in 2021.
The fans are understandably angry and don't want to buy the new album, since the members of Loona will probably not see any of the revenue again.
The Loona Union announced that the boycott would only end once the accusations against Chuu are withdrawn and Chuu receives an apology. In addition, the Loona members should be given the option to end their contracts if they wish.
The boycott doesn't just mean not buying the album. All participating fans will also not stream the songs on Spotify, not watch the music video on Youtube, and ignore other content as far as possible.
Everywhere, Loona fans are calling on each other to boycott the album, and Nolae is joining in too. We don't want to keep supporting Blockberry Creative and we hope that Loona's situation improves. That is why we are not offering Loona's new album in our shop.
