Frustration Mounts
Fromis_9, a girl group under Pledis Entertainment and HYBE, has been facing unusually long hiatuses, causing frustration among its members and fans. Recently, member Chaeyoung expressed her concerns during a Weverse live session.
“I want to change my Weverse profile picture. I want to promote soon so I can change it to a promotion picture. Why is it that we’re always… I want to promote… Why are we the only ones to have long hiatuses? Why only Fromis_9… It’s so sad… I have FLOVERs, I have fans too, we have FLOVERs…”
Industry Discrepancy
Compared to industry standards, Fromis_9’s comebacks have been significantly delayed. Their first comeback took nine months after their debut, and their third mini album was released over a year later in September 2020. Such delays are uncommon for rookie groups seeking to establish a solid fan base.
Fan Backlash
Chaeyoung’s comments have sparked a wave of support for the group and anger towards Pledis and HYBE. Fans have been vocal about the perceived mistreatment, demanding more activities and comebacks. Hashtags such as #fromis_9DeserveBetter and #PLEDIS_TREAT_FROMIS_BETTER have been trending on social media.
Chaeyoung’s Apology
Following her outburst, Chaeyoung returned to Weverse to apologize, fearing her words had upset fans. However, her initial remarks have ignited a fervor among Flovers, leading to a backlash against the management companies.
Fans are calling for transparency and improved scheduling for Fromis_9, hoping their voices will lead to change and more frequent comebacks for the group.