Naeun Explains Departure from Apink: Updates on Her Relationships with Former Members

Two years after her departure from Apink, Son Naeun has shared insights into why she left the famed K-pop group and provided an update on her connections with the remaining members. Does she maintain contact with them?

On September 17th, the idol-turned-actress Naeun participated in an interview with the K-media outlet Newsis to celebrate the successful conclusion of her Netflix drama “Romance in the House.”

During the interview, K-pop fans were particularly interested when she addressed Apink, the group with which she debuted in 2011 before fully transitioning into an acting career in 2022.

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When she departed the group, she had already celebrated Apink’s 10th-anniversary album by participating in the music video and song recordings but opted out of the promotional activities.

Two months later, she officially left the group.

Naeun faced significant backlash for prioritizing her acting career over her commitments to Apink, especially since other members like Jung Eunji, Bomi, and Hayoung balanced both singing and acting.

In response to the criticisms, Naeun explained during the interview:

“I don’t feel wronged. I filmed all the music videos for our 10th-anniversary album, but my schedule didn’t allow me to do it (promote within the group). I felt sorry for the members and the fans, and I was also disappointed. We were a team that I spent a long time with in my teens and 20s, so it remains a beautiful and precious memory.”

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She further elaborated:

“Now is the time for me to show where I belong. We’ve been together for a long time so I really wanted to stay together until the end, but there were parts where I had to accept that it didn’t work out that way. Rather than being upset, I decided to let it go.”

When inquired whether she still keeps in contact with Apink, Naeun admitted that she no longer communicates with the members personally, yet she expressed her ongoing support for them.

“I’m not in contact with (the members) right now, but I’m cheering them on as a fan. Eunji’s work (Miss Night and Day) went well, and I felt good that I was the one to pass the baton. I’m going to look for all the members’ releases. They’re all working hard, and I’m cheering them from the bottom of my heart.”

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