BIGBANG's former member Choi Seung-hyun (최승현), 38, known as T.O.P, recently became embroiled in controversy following rumors of a relationship with After School's Im Jin-ah (임진아), 35, known as Nana. The news sparked a wave of cancellations for a fan-organized commemorative exhibition, which was ultimately called off. Adding to the dismay, "CHOIDOT," a fan site that had supported T.O.P for 20 years, abruptly announced its closure on October 9. The management team released a lengthy statement, directly criticizing T.O.P and his agency, asserting that "albums are not gifts bestowed upon fans" and accusing them of consistently failing to acknowledge fans' long-standing dedication.
Following the departure of T.O.P's 20-year fan, Heo Young-saeng (허영생), a member of the South Korean boy group SS501, has also faced controversy over recent fan activities. A devoted fan who had supported him for 16 years announced her decision to cease fan activities after personally organizing a birthday café event, stating, "I'm truly tired now." The news left the fan community in shock.
The operator of "Forever Young," a long-standing fan site for Heo Young-saeng, recently posted a lengthy message on social media, announcing the closure of the account and her official "departure from the fandom." She lamented, "It was just a rumor that I would leave the fandom after organizing the birthday café, but I can't believe this urban legend actually came true, even to myself."
She revealed that despite her busy work schedule, she spent approximately six months preparing a birthday café for Heo Young-saeng's birthday on November 3. She not only paid out of pocket but also sacrificed sleep to organize the event and merchandise. However, after investing so much time and effort, she felt she received a "cold and inadequate response" from Heo Young-saeng's side, leaving her utterly disheartened.
The fan stated that she had inquired beforehand whether Heo Young-saeng would visit the birthday café and was told, "It's difficult to visit only specific birthday cafés, so we won't be making a special visit." To her surprise, on his birthday, November 3, Heo Young-saeng rented out a venue himself to host a fan event.
According to her, Heo Young-saeng mentioned during his fan meeting, "I'm grateful that someone opened a birthday café for me, but they kept asking me to come..." She felt these words could easily be misinterpreted and left her stunned, feeling that her pure intention to support him had been twisted.
She emphasized that her sole purpose in organizing the birthday café was to support and celebrate her idol, so Heo Young-saeng's absence "was not an issue at all." What truly saddened her was feeling ignored and even publicly embarrassed by his handling of the situation.
She also expressed her frustration, saying, "I know that's the best way he can show his gratitude, but I'm tired of this so-called 'best way of expressing oneself' now."
Reflecting on her 16 years as a fan, she emotionally wrote about her deep love for Heo Young-saeng's sparkling eyes while singing and dancing on stage. She added, "Thank you for being my idol since elementary school and accompanying me for a long 16 years. Oppa truly was my whole life."
The unexpected end to 16 years of fandom shocked many, as supporting the same artist for so long and even personally organizing a birthday event indicates a highly dedicated core fan. The post sparked online discussion, with some netizens agreeing that it was disheartening for a fan to invest so much time, money, and effort into an idol's birthday, only to receive a response that made them feel ignored and embarrassed.
One netizen commented that for a fan to spend their own money and time only to receive such a result, "basic empathy and politeness are still very important for an artist."
Others suggested that a 16-year veteran fan choosing to leave was likely not due to a single incident but rather the accumulation of long-term poor communication and disappointment. What began as a supportive event to celebrate an idol's birthday ultimately transformed into a poignant "departure declaration."
However, the above content primarily comes from the fan's unilateral public statement, and whether the claims fully represent the situation at the time still requires further verification.
Heo Young-saeng debuted in 2005 as the main vocalist of the boy group SS501, releasing numerous hit songs such as "Because I'm Stupid," "U R Man," and "Snow Prince," and is considered one of the representatives of second-generation idols. In addition to group activities, he has continued to develop his solo career and participated in project groups like FIVE O ONE.
Below are translations of Korean netizen comments
1. While the handling was regrettable, if he said he couldn't go, isn't it strange to keep asking him? The agency probably planned an official birthday café, which is why they didn't reply, right? It would also be strange if they only informed one specific fan in advance... It's nice if an idol can go to a fan-organized birthday café, but they don't have to. However, going to an official birthday café and then asking to put up printouts from one's own birthday café is a bit odd.
2. It's a blessing to leave the fandom now.
3. Although specifically mentioning "kept asking me to come" was inappropriate, I think the agency's handling was correct. They can't participate in or allow activities for only specific individual fans. Not going is correct, and not allowing personal printouts at official events is also correct.
4. Hmm... Blaming only the artist is a bit unfair too ㅠ It's truly regrettable.
5. It's understandable if an artist doesn't attend a birthday café, or if the agency doesn't announce birthday café plans; it's not a given. But the fan said she only asked once, and the artist spoke those words in front of fans as if targeting her, which is a bit much. I would leave the fandom too if I were her.
6. The artist might have felt annoyed thinking it was a friend of the organizer asking, but publicly targeting her is also ridiculous... It's not good for himself, why would he do that? Doesn't he feel any regret?
7. Why target her publicly ㅠㅠ Couldn't he have just said other fans also organized birthday cafés?
8. I saw this reposted from a popular comment section, and I think that fan did well to leave the fandom. There hadn't been a birthday café for three years, and this time a fan prepared it so sincerely at her own expense, so the idol shouldn't have responded like that.
9. Honestly, if it's this kind of artist, congratulations on leaving the fandom... Look at what he said in front of his fans.
10. Regarding the "prior coordination" part, I don't quite understand the fan, but I also can't understand why the artist specifically mentioned "kept asking me to come" in public.
11. The public targeting must have been a huge blow; I would leave the fandom too.
12. It's a talent for a fan to write such a petty post... It feels like she's asking to be criticized. The artist was also really bad to his fans.
13. If he hadn't said those words in the end, she might not have left the fandom...
14. Only one birthday café in three years, and he treats it like this, it's hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋ He doesn't know the value of his fans.
15. Did she open the café hoping the idol would come from the start? She kept saying it was just out of love, but it seems she asked more than once or twice if the idol would come... The company also seemed to have clearly stated they wouldn't go. Of course, Heo Young-saeng publicly saying those words is also an issue.
16. Oh dear, how mean-spirited. Making someone so utterly disappointed, should she even be grateful...? Although the psychological and material losses are significant, I hope she can use this as an opportunity to start anew and live a good life.
17. No, think about that circle. It's not so large that coordination is impossible; people going to the birthday café could probably share a taxi to the next event. Was it necessary to specifically target her? If you don't want to show gratitude for what fans spend time and money on, then don't make sarcastic remarks.
18. He should think about why there aren't many fans left. I used to like SS501 too ㅋㅋ
19. Birthday cafés were originally a culture for fans to enjoy. When did it start becoming a requirement for artists to visit? And then they get criticized if they don't come.
20. If there are 1000 fans, it might not be good to tell only one person, but if there are only 10 people, why not just tell them directly??? ㅎㅎㅎㅎ What kind of high-level information or grand official event is organizing a birthday café... If it's inconvenient to inform only one person in advance, they could indirectly hint or express it subtly. It's the first time someone has organized a birthday café for me in three years, and even if someone asks, how many people could it be? None of it was necessary. No need not to go, no need to organize his own, and no need to say those words?
21. Starting with RIIZE, birthday cafés seem to be gradually changing. It was originally a culture for fans to gather, chat, and enjoy; a birthday café culture that never considered whether the artist would attend from the beginning. Now, one artist after another visits, so some people go for that reason, and if they don't come, they get very upset... Setting that aside, this handling was indeed not good. Why target her publicly?
22. The fan feels the problem isn't that part, but the part where she was publicly humiliated.
23. Ah, this explains his behavior, but the idol is truly clueless if he really thinks that way.
24. If he thinks fans can make money from birthday cafés, that's quite... How many people came to the agency-organized café?
25. If that's truly the case, then his understanding of this community is too low...?
26. Three years ago, when a fan organized a birthday café, he suddenly arranged an official fan meeting and even acted as a barista, making drinks for fans. If he dislikes birthday cafés, he should just prohibit them; he should be grateful instead of doing this.
27. Forming a sub-unit with problematic members and making money off nostalgia, yet treating a fan who sincerely celebrated his birthday like this, is truly petty ㅋㅋ I wish that fan happiness.
28. The company's actions are understandable, but hearing the artist publicly make sarcastic remarks makes the fan's departure from the fandom understandable...
29. Anyway, he's not a popular idol anymore, so for just one birthday café, is it that hard to go once? And how much did he hate being asked that he had to publicly target her? Sigh, good riddance.
30. Wow... That's too much. He should have organized an offline event when there wasn't a birthday café; his thinking is truly unique.
31. I can concede a hundred times on other matters, thinking the artist or company might have such a stance, but publicly targeting a fan in front of others is truly petty.
32. A privately organized birthday café should be enjoyed among fans. Is it right to expect the artist to visit?
33. The fan must have had a hard time; it's understandable.
