LOONA’s Olivia Hye Leaves A Show “Due To Health Reasons,” But Fans Are Worried It Wasn’t “Her Own Decision”
Fans of LOONA have been actively boycotting the group in hopes of freeing all of the remaining members from their contracts with BlockBerry Creative.
After BlockBerry Creative removed Chuu from the group, Dispatch released an exposé that, while seemingly intended to prove Chuu’s “abuse” toward the staff, actually had netizens siding with Chuu’s responses as details about the group’s mistreatment were revealed.
Fans were glad that Chuu had successfully filed a lawsuit against the company and were hopeful that the other nine members who filed an injunction would have similar results.
Unfortunately, as of now, only four of the nine members (Heejin, Kim Lip, Jinsoul, and Choerry) won their court case (with both Vivi and Hyunjin not having filed an injunction). Currently, Haseul, Yeojin, Yves, Olivia Hye, Gowon, Vivi, and Hyunjin all still have their contracts with BlockBerry Creative.
Although BlockBerry Creative was vocal about the sudden announcement of a comeback and, shortly after that, the indefinite delay of the album, the company has not kept fans updated about the members’ conditions.
LOOΠΔ
The Origin Album [0]"처음 본 빛의 향연"
2023.01.03 TUE 6PM (KST) #이달의소녀 #LOONA#Zero #FREESM pic.twitter.com/wSeLjmpHRA
— 이달의 소녀(LOOΠΔ) (@loonatheworld) December 14, 2022
Fans instead have been relying on direct updates from the members themselves, which led to criticism of BlockBerry Creative after the company announced that they would no longer be using Fab, the private messaging service that allowed their idols to talk to fans.
Fortunately, multiple members of LOONA have made personal Instagram accounts where they can continue to update fans.
Daily reminder to unfollow LOONA's official accounts and follow the members Instagram accounts instead 💖 pic.twitter.com/XoLwJ5F5t1
— cherrymotion ボイコット (@cherrymotionw) January 18, 2023
Despite all the turmoil and controversy, two members of LOONA have been appearing on a virtual reality survival show, GIRL’S RE:VERSE. Although the show’s contestants have yet to be officially announced, as the contestants are active girl group idols, it took little time for fans to identify the participants by their voices, mannerisms, and skills.
LOONA’s Heejin is portraying Rien and continually shocking the judges, other contestants, and viewers with her talent.
rien’s performance WAS MAGICAL HOLY SHIT HEEJIN
— FREE LOONA (@highloona) January 11, 2023
Olivia Hye is portraying Chonky Cat, an immediate fan-favorite among viewers for her entertaining comments, playful “beef” with contestant Muneo (portrayed by former IZ*ONE‘s Kwon Eunbi), and of course, impressive performance skills.
kwon eunbi and olivia hye having beef😭 pic.twitter.com/iAAlsIohvF
— 🤦♀️ (@ivemeaI) January 3, 2023
Although Heejin and Olivia Hye have been thriving in the show, the official Twitter account for GIRL’S RE:VERSE unexpectedly announced that Chonky Cat would leave the show for health reasons.
Hello. This is RE:VERSE. Unfortunately due to health reasons, Chonky Cat will be halting her challenges at W and returning to her hometown on the Cat Star. We would like to thank Chonky Cat for trying her best up until now, and we ask everyone to continue cheering for Chonky Cat’s future.
— @girlsreverse/Twitter
안녕하세요. 소녀 리버스입니다. 뚱냥이는 건강상의 이유로, 아쉽지만 W에서의 도전을 중단하고 고양이별 고향으로 돌아가게 되었습니다. 지금까지 최선을 다해 준 뚱냥이에게 감사의 인사를 전하며, 뚱냥이의 앞날에 많은 응원을 부탁드립니다. pic.twitter.com/lZ2RBtMYsM
— 소녀 리버스 (RE:VERSE) (@girlsreverse) January 20, 2023
Given the unexpected announcement, fans are voicing their concerns about Olivia Hye and calling out BlockBerry Creative for not handling the situation directly.
so u're just not gonna release a statement regarding hyeju's health?? @BBC_blockberry
— 키스¹²: 📚 (@masakiethnanga) January 20, 2023
hoping hyeju is okay.. would bbc even post about it
— junior (@oddeyecircIx) January 20, 2023
Fans had already been worried about Olivia Hye since they had yet to hear from the idol directly. They do not trust BlockBerry Creative to not penalize the remaining members for filing an injunction, given how BlockBerry Creative treated Chuu.
her being the only member who hasnt spoken up since the suspension was denied im worried https://t.co/iHQtf6U7uL
— Academy of Ujung Graduate 👩🎓 (@yeoreumhater) January 20, 2023
I hate @BBC_blockberry. This legal battle is seriously having massive impact on these girls mental health.
— Peber Dee (@PeberD) January 20, 2023
WHAT DID BLOCKBERRY DO TO HER
— +neko’neko**” ¹²FREE THEM (@kamujiyo) January 20, 2023
really hope this was her decision and not bbc putting her on punishment https://t.co/tsMSSzQUYQ
— clawlip 🌙 | District 6 & 12 dual resident (@clawlip12) January 20, 2023
Notably, GIRL’S RE:VERSE did not directly reveal the show’s contestants, which is why BlockBerry Creative couldn’t have directly announced that Olivia Hye would no longer be participating. But fans still demand an update about Olivia Hye’s health and believe that it is strange for BlockBerry Creative not to make their own announcement.
this is a very bizarre way for us to learn that hyeju isnt doing well ….. i hope shes taking good care of herself :( https://t.co/6lGDT6QGfF
— the leti chapter (@phosphoroki) January 20, 2023
Some fans even suspect that BlockBerry Creative could have pulled Olivia Hye out of the show, making them more concerned for the idol’s well-being.
health reasons is a pretty convenient way of silencing them considering fab is also going away soon. https://t.co/xPSamZPJ5J
— ignacio (@101mabro) January 20, 2023
i'm worried, latelty the news about "health reasons" are never about health but something else that we don't know https://t.co/NwHE3B2DiB
— Lady Puso (@LadyPusolina) January 20, 2023
i really hope this was her own decision https://t.co/sR9cVAib6h
— jj 🍮 seeing aespa (@gisellevocals) January 20, 2023
knowing what bbc previously did to chuu not letting her join the group activities lying that she's busy or being sick makes it hard to believe anything comes out from that company tbh… but if hyeju is actually sick i hope she's okay and getting all the rest she needs
— ☽¹² (@bluesouI_) January 20, 2023
As fans call out BlockBerry Creative for their mistreatment of LOONA and poor communication, they also send well-wishes to Olivia Hye, hoping the idol is alright and recovers quickly.
Get well soon hyeju :,( 🤍
— Lilo¹² ♡ #WeStandWithLOONA ❤️🩹 (@Lilosleeps) January 20, 2023
NOOOOO OLIVIAAAAAAA! STAY HEALTHY HYEJU! WE LOVE YOU!
— ♡ Eartem ♡ (@Eartem127) January 20, 2023
i hope she feels better soon and rests well, this is so concerning since we haven’t heard from her in so long :( https://t.co/xmDADKyc93
— ✶﹏✶ (@soopvivi) January 20, 2023
As of the time of this article BlockBerry Creative has not released a statement.