Former APRIL Member Lee Na-eun Faces Career Setback Due to Kwaktube’s 'Proxy Forgiveness' Controversy

‍

Lee Na-eun (25), a former member of APRIL and now an actress, is facing difficulties in resuming her entertainment career after past bullying allegations involving former member Lee Hyun-joo resurfaced due to comments made by YouTuber Kwaktube (real name Kwak Joon-bin, 32) about "proxy forgiveness."

In 2021, Lee Na-eun was at the center of controversy after being accused of leading a group bullying of her former groupmate, Lee Hyun-joo.

Lee Hyun-joo, who debuted with APRIL in 2015, left the group the following year, with claims from her brother that the departure was due to bullying by Na-eun and other members.

As a result, Na-eun was removed from her role in the SBS drama Taxi Driver 1 (2021), and several advertising deals were terminated, dealing a severe blow to her career.

Despite denying the accusations,

saying, “I’ve never done such a thing,” the public response was cold. Her older sister attempted to defend her by releasing Na-eun’s trainee journal, but this only worsened the situation.

The journal contained lines like, “Just being around her makes me feel dirty. I wish she’d disappear from my sight,” further fueling the controversy.

Lee Na-eun, other APRIL members, and their then-agency DSP Media filed defamation lawsuits against Lee Hyun-joo, but the police ultimately dismissed the case, stating that no defamation was found.

The police concluded that the claims made by Lee Hyun-joo’s brother were based on fact and were in the public interest.

APRIL disbanded in January 2022, and the members went their separate ways.

Although Na-eun’s previous school violence allegations were cleared when the original accuser was found guilty of defamation, the bullying accusations regarding Lee Hyun-joo remained unresolved.

After signing with Namoo Actors in 2022, Na-eun prepared for her return to the entertainment industry.

Earlier this year, she made special appearances in SBS’s Reborn Rich and ENA’s Crash, marking her comeback to television after three years.

She was also cast in the upcoming drama Eye Shopping. However, her efforts are now at risk of being derailed due to the “proxy forgiveness” controversy involving Kwaktube.

Recently, Lee Na-eun went on a trip to Rome, Italy, with Kwaktube, known as a “school violence victim.”

During the trip, a conversation regarding past controversies was made public.

Kwaktube mentioned, “I get sensitive whenever the topic of school violence comes up.

Something about a victim becoming the perpetrator and all that,” indirectly referring to Na-eun.

In response, Na-eun expressed her frustration, saying, “I was misunderstood, and many people cut me off. It made me feel sad and hurt.”

Once this conversation was made public, Kwaktube’s remarks ignited a “proxy forgiveness” controversy, and both he and Na-eun have faced criticism.

For Na-eun, in particular, the controversy has brought her past bullying accusations back to the forefront, creating a significant backlash just as she was preparing to restart her acting career.

This incident illustrates how long past controversies can affect a celebrity’s career and how difficult it is to change public perception.

It also highlights the role that social media and platforms like YouTube play in both rehabilitating and reigniting a celebrity’s image.

Lee Na-eun’s case underscores the importance and complexity of crisis management in the entertainment industry.

It shows how unresolved allegations can continue to pose challenges and how new efforts to rebuild an image can be quickly derailed by unexpected controversies.

The incident also highlights how sensitive the public is to a celebrity’s past actions and how difficult it is to overturn a negative image once it’s formed.

While it suggests that celebrities need to be more mindful of their behavior, it also raises the question of whether the public should adopt a more open stance on their growth and potential for change.

As of now, it is uncertain whether Lee Na-eun will be able to overcome the negative public sentiment and successfully return to the entertainment industry.

Her next steps and the public’s response will be closely watched, and this incident is likely to spark discussions about the concept of "second chances" in the Korean entertainment industry.