The K-Pop industry is known for its rigorous schedules and frequent music releases, but Fromis_9 — managed by Pledis Entertainment under HYBE — seems to be an exception, much to the frustration of its members and fans.
Recently, one of the girl group members, Chaeyoung, voiced her concerns about the group’s unusually long hiatuses during a Weverse live session.
Chaeyoung’s clear feelings of sadness and frustration have sparked a wave of support for the group and anger from her fanbase aimed at the two companies responsible for Fromis_9’s activities.
I wanna change my Weverse profile picture. I wanna promote soon so that I can change it to a promotion (comeback teaser) picture. Why is it that we’re always… I wanna promote… Why are we the only ones to have long hiatuses? Why only Fromis_9… It’s so sad…I have FLOVERs , I have FLOVERs , I have fans too, We have FLOVERs…
— Chaeyoung via Weverse Live
very rough tr:
I wanna change my weverse profile pic. I wanna promote soon so that I can change it to a promo pic.
Why is it that we’re always… I wanna promote
why are we the only ones to have long hiatuses.. why only fromis_9 (cont.) pic.twitter.com/asKku2pqyW
— 젼해 (@fromishrine) May 7, 2024
The gap between their activities has been notably long compared to industry standards, where frequent comebacks are essential for maintaining public interest and momentum. For example, Fromis_9’s first comeback took nine months following their debut, and it took over a year for their third mini album to be released in September 2020. Such delays are unusual for rookie groups eager to establish a solid fan base.
Since their debut, the group’s fanbase has been very vocal about the group’s perceived mistreatment. Fans often call out both companies, Pledis and HYBE, asking for more activities and comebacks.
UPDATED THREAD ON THE MISTREATMENT SUFFERED BY FROMIS_9 IN 2024… 🧵#fromis_9DeserveBetter #PLEDIS_TREAT_FROMIS_BETTER
— kim (@blacckpop) May 7, 2024
fromis_9DeserveBetter #PLEDIS_TREAT_FROMIS_BETTER #플레디스_프로미스나인을_더_잘_다뤄#플레디스_fromis_9을_더_잘_다뤄#프로미스나인이_더_나은_자격이_있습니다 @pledisnews @HYBEOFFICIALtwt pic.twitter.com/v6q1walTwV
— 🍀fromis_9 INDIA 🇮🇳 fromis_9 COMEBACK WHEN 😭 (@fromis_9INDIA) May 7, 2024
Please continue guys. Don’t stop tweeting the hashtags and rting, qrting and replying with the hashtags. We are trending and don’t let it stop u or slow u down.#fromis_9DeserveBetter #PLEDIS_TREAT_FROMIS_BETTER@pledisnews@HYBEOFFICIALtwt pic.twitter.com/wrUMxD0nAe
— fromis_9 moments that could kill a sapphic (@fromissapphics) May 8, 2024
Following her heartfelt comments, Chaeyoung returned to Weverse to apologize, worrying that her words might have upset fans or been taken the wrong way.
I feel sorry that something that I said while just chatting with FLOVERs might’ve hurt someone or sounded bad to others, and it made me worry about FLOVERs, who are even more worried about me… I will speak more carefully from now on.
— Chaeyoung via Weverse
why should she apologize?! she just wants to be treated the same as the other artists in your fucking company
SHAME ON YOU!@pledisnews @HYBEOFFICIALtwt
TREAT FROMIS_9 RIGHT#PLEDIS_TREAT_FROMIS_BETTER#플레디스_fromis_9을_더_잘_다뤄 pic.twitter.com/mXCRjgDIN8— 𝙯𝙞𝙘𝙤 (@aboutfromis_9) May 8, 2024
Her initial remarks, however, have already ignited a fervor among fans, leading to a backlash against HYBE and Pledis Entertainment. Flovers are calling for more transparency and better management of the group’s schedule, hoping that their voices will lead to change and more frequent comebacks for Fromis_9.
