Victim Of The “Worst Bullying Scandal” In K-Pop Appears With Her Bully For The First Time In 15 Years
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One of the worst instances of bullying in K-Pop arguably took place in the 90s and involved the first-generation co-ed group, S#arp.
Sharp, stylized as S#arp, is most well remembered as a four-membered co-ed group consisting of Seo Jiyoung, Jang Suk Hyun, Chris, and Lee Jihye, though they underwent multiple line-up changes.
The group was popular, but issues between Seo Jiyoung and Lee Jihye would change things.
Lee Jihye was added to the group through auditions based on her talent, and it is said that Seo Jiyoung’s jealousy caused the initial issues between the two. When it became clear that Lee Jihye would not be removed from the group, Seo Jiyoung began physically harassing her.
According to Lee Jihye, Seo Jiyoung would attack and abuse her physically and verbally almost daily and was even alleged to have invited her then-boyfriend, actor Ryu Si Won, to slap and berate Lee Jihye as well.
An incident in an elevator at a music show resulted in a fight between the two and a messy press conference that ended the group.
Now, more than 15 years after their last time on camera together, Seo Jiyoung and Lee Jihye have reunited.
In a recent YouTube video, the pair discussed their past, openly admitting to the “rumored” discord.
She was a very close friend who shared a significant chapter of my life, and though there was a brief pause in our friendship, we’ve become close again.
— Lee Jihye introducing Seo Jiyoung
Seo Jiyoung talked about her life out of the spotlight, which includes two children. After Lee Jihye said she hoped there would not be anymore mentions of discord between the members because of the video, Seo Jiyoung remarked “Well, it was true, though…” but said that it had been a very long time.
Lee Jihye agreed, saying that “It’s been too long. It’s boring now.”
The two marked the occasion with selfies together, showing that they have long buried the hatchet.
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