Two High-Profile Trainees Rumored To Debut In New Girl Group—But K-Pop Fans Are Already Furious

Rumors surrounding PLEDIS Entertainment’s alleged upcoming girl group are already going viral online, but instead of excitement, many K-Pop fans are reacting with frustration and anger toward the agency itself.

A recent post on the popular Korean forum theqoo gained major attention after claiming that two high-profile trainees are likely to debut in PLEDIS’ rumored new girl group.

The post specifically named TWICE Jihyo’s younger sister, Park Seoyeon…

…and a well-known former child model, Park Se Ah, as potential members…

…immediately sparking buzz across online communities. However, much of the conversation quickly shifted away from the rumored trainees themselves and toward backlash against PLEDIS Entertainment.

• “Ugh, just seeing the company name pisses me off.”
• “With what conscience is PLEDIS making another girl group?”
• “PLEDIS… a girl group…?”
• “PLEDIS..”
• “Let’s not debut girl groups.”
• “PLEDIS you f*ckers, if you have any conscience at all, don’t even bring up girl groups. Ah, I’m getting pissed off again.”
• “Why is PLEDIS making girl groups? They’re complete psychopaths. I liked every generation of PLEDIS girl groups, and every single time they screwed them over in the end.”
• “They can’t even manage groups properly. What girl group are they talking about?”
• “PLEDIS…? Not even Source Music…??”
• “If PLEDIS has any conscience, they should stop making girl groups.”

Much of the criticism stems from the company’s controversial reputation among K-Pop fans for its management (or lack thereof) of former girl groups, such as After School and PRISTIN.

In fact, many fans continue to point to PRISTIN, once considered one of K-Pop’s most promising rookie girl groups, as an example of wasted potential after the group experienced extended inactivity before ultimately disbanding in 2019.

Although never officially confirmed, a long-running belief among many K-Pop fans is that PLEDIS deprioritized or “abandoned” PRISTIN while focusing resources on other projects tied to the Produce 101 and Idol School boom, including fromis_9 and IZ*ONE. Whether true or not, the perception has heavily contributed to the agency’s negative reputation regarding girl group management.

• “If you’re going to debut a girl group, please treat them well… all the way to the end… please…”
• “Making another girl group is shameless as hell LOL…”
• “A PLEDIS girl group??? PLEDIS really has no conscience.”
• “Wow, the child model girl is seriously so pretty, but with what conscience is PLEDIS debuting a girl group?”
• “As if HYBE would ever care about having a conscience LOL.”
• “Why does PLEDIS keep making girl groups just to neglect them? I have absolutely zero expectation that they’ll treat a girl group well.”
• “My Siyeon… They kept her signed since she was so young and then abandoned her. Feels psychotic. And PRISTIN’s momentum was actually really good too.”
• “PLEDIS, don’t do girl groups. Do you even have a conscience?”
• “PLEDIS, I’m seriously warning you. Don’t do it.”
• “I already knew PLEDIS had no conscience, but seriously, you guys should not make girl groups.”
• “Don’t do it if you have any conscience.”

As the discussion surrounding the alleged lineup continues to spread online, many netizens say they feel bad for the rumored trainees, with some hoping the members will receive better management than previous PLEDIS girl groups.

Stay tuned for updates!