Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding BLACKPINK member Jisoo and her older brother, coverage of her departure from Incheon International Airport scheduled for tomorrow (the 22nd) has been abruptly canceled. This move is being interpreted as a response to the fallout from the controversy, drawing significant attention from both within and outside the industry.
According to industry sources on the 21st, the PR agency in charge of Jisoo’s departure schedule announced to the press that day, “The coverage of Jisoo’s airport departure scheduled for April 22 has been canceled due to unavoidable internal circumstances.” They added, “We apologize for the confusion caused to the reporters who prepared for the coverage and ask for your understanding.”
Originally, Jisoo was scheduled to showcase her airport fashion in front of the press before departing from Incheon International Airport for Paris, France. Airport coverage of departures is a major promotional tool for exposing the fashion and schedules of Hallyu stars, so it is extremely unusual for an event to be suddenly canceled the day before, especially after prior notice has been given.
In particular, it is unusual for an artist to cancel a scheduled airport press coverage at the last minute due to internal circumstances rather than health reasons, and this is interpreted as a choice made out of concern over the allegations that have recently surfaced centered around her older brother.
The start of the controversy… Older brother of a famous girl group member arrested red-handed on charges of sexual assault
Behind this cancellation decision lies a series of controversies surrounding Jisoo’s older brother. On the evening of the 14th, a man in his 30s, identified as A, the older brother of a member of a famous girl group, was arrested in flagrante delicto on charges of attempting inappropriate physical contact with BJ B after having dinner and drinks at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and taking her to his home. It was revealed that A had purchased a meal date voucher worth 3 million won from B two days prior to the incident.
Accordingly, on the 17th, the Seoul Gangnam Police Department applied for an arrest warrant against Mr. A on charges of violating the Act on Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, but the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office rejected the warrant on the grounds that the charges were not sufficiently substantiated.
Subsequently, speculation quickly spread across online communities that the person in question was BLACKPINK Jisoo’s older brother. The individual known as Jisoo’s older brother is reportedly running a food-related company, and despite being a private citizen, his name was mentioned in the media last year when he helped establish Jisoo’s one-person agency at the time the BLACKPINK members began their individual solo activities.
Jisoo’s agency issues official statement through legal representatives: ‘Completely unrelated’
As the controversy intensified, Jisoo’s side put their legal representative at the forefront to release an official statement. On the 20th, Attorney Eun Hyun-ho of Kim & Chang Law Firm, the legal representative for Jisoo’s agency Blissoo, stated, “Regarding the matter concerning the family of a Blissoo artist that has recently been spreading in some media reports, online communities, and social media, we express grave regret over the indiscriminate acts of defamation that link the artist and Blissoo to the matter or base their reputation on content that is different from the facts.”
Attorney Eun drew a line, stating, “Jisoo began her trainee life at a young age and has lived apart from her family for a long time, so she is in a position where she cannot be aware of or involved in the private life of the individual in question.” She also emphasized, “No family member has ever received compensation from Blissoo or participated in decision-making, and the company operates completely independently.”
Meanwhile, Jisoo’s side issued a separate additional statement emphasizing, “BLISSOO and Jisoo are not providing any financial or legal support to the individual in question, nor do they plan to provide such support in the future. Furthermore, they are not engaging in any interaction or involvement regarding this matter,” and warned of legal action, stating, “We plan to take a firm stance against malicious or repetitive creators and distributors of posts without any leniency or settlement.”
Name in Credits… Suspicions Reignited After Clarification
Despite an official statement claiming “complete unrelatedness,” the controversy is not easily subsiding. This is because it was revealed that Jisoo’s older brother’s name was listed with the title of “CEO” in the credits of her recent Netflix series, Monthly Boyfriend. Currently, the name has been removed from the credits, which only list “Blissoo Entertainment,” leading to criticism that this was a post-hoc correction. Netflix’s Boyfriend on Demand team has only released a brief statement saying they are “currently verifying the information.”
Previously, Jisoo’s side clarified that while they did receive assistance from a family member during the establishment of the agency as a “particularly limited intermediary for advice and conversation,” the family member has never received any compensation from Jisoo or participated in decision-making from that time until now. However, as the fact that credits were exposed became known, voices questioning the credibility of this explanation are mounting.
Airport coverage cancelled… Likely to minimize official appearances for the time being
The sudden cancellation of coverage of the airport departure is drawing even more attention as it comes amidst this trend. The industry interprets this as a decision made in consideration of the potential for intense questioning from the press if the individual were to appear in public while the controversy remains unresolved.
Some are also showing interest in whether the departure to Paris has been canceled entirely, or if only the airport coverage was cancelled while the departure proceeds as planned. As of now, Jisoo’s side has not made any separate comments regarding the departure schedule itself.
With the controversy continuing and scheduled public appearances being canceled, speculation is rising that she intends to minimize her exposure at official events for the time being. Since her solo debut in 2023, Jisoo has pursued an independent path as an actress and artist, while BLACKPINK is preparing for a large-scale world tour in the second half of this year.
Below is the full text of the official statement from the legal representative of Jisoo’s agency, Blissoo.
I am Attorney Eun Hyun-ho of Kim & Chang Law Firm, Blissoo’s legal representative.
Regarding the matter concerning the family of an artist affiliated with Blissoo that has recently been spreading in some media reports, online communities, and social media, we express grave regret over the indiscriminate acts of defamation that link the artist and Blissoo to the matter or are based on false information.
First of all, the matters currently being raised are completely unrelated to the artist or Blissoo, and much of the content being circulated online consists of unverified speculation or clearly false facts.
The artist began their trainee life at a young age, became independent early on, and has lived apart from their family for a long time; therefore, we are unable to be aware of or involved in the individual’s private life.
While the artist did receive assistance from family members in the form of limited advice and as intermediaries for consultations with stakeholders during the preparation process for establishing Blissoo, no family members have received any compensation from Blisu or participated in decision-making from that time until now. Blissoo has been managed completely independently since its establishment.
Furthermore, Blissoo and the artist do not provide any financial or legal support to the individual in question, nor do they plan to provide such support in the future. They are not engaging in any interaction or involvement regarding this matter.
We would like to inform you that regarding acts of consuming or spreading the artist’s name, portrait, image, etc., by associating them with matters unrelated to the artist, and acts of defaming the reputation of the artist and Blissoo by disseminating content that is contrary to the facts, we will take all civil and criminal legal measures without any leniency or settlement against malicious or repetitive creators and distributors of such posts.
