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Did Enhypen Jake apologize for Itaewon scandal? Fans say 'don't be dumb'

Fans clarify that Jake's message was a letter of gratitude to fans and not an apology for his rumored photos from Itaewon

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Over the recent week, Enhypen's Jake is one of the few artists from HYBE labels who has been embroiled in a controversy that does not make sense to fans. On August 23, Korean media reported alleged photos of the Enhypen member claiming that Jake was "picking up women in Itaewon" by asking them to share their lighters with him for a smoke. Since the controversy has not one but two allegations against Jake, fans are enraged with Enhypen's label Belift Labs for ignoring the issue and letting the singer's reputation be tainted online without solid evidence.

The photos that surfaced online showed a boy with blonde hair and a baseball cap but failed to reveal Jake's face. Fans alleged that the person beside Jake was Enhypen's manager, further intensifying the controversy against Jake. Some claim that the photos were from Enhypen's pre-debut days as a response to his blonde hair but fans don't think it is true. As Engenes (fans of Enhypen) demand answers from HYBE and Belift Labs, the label is still tight-lipped on the issue. Now, on August 26, Jake himself took to Enhypen's fan cafe, Weverse to share a heartfelt message with fans that trolls are labeling as his apology for the controversy.

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Enhypen Jake takes to Weverse to thank fans for supporting him

After the controversy blew up, fans expected Belift Labs to take charge and debunk all the rumors about Jake being in Itaewon but it seems that the label is letting things fizzle out on its own as they have done in the past. In his post on Weverse, Jake told fans how he was glad to meet Engenes during the boy group's recent promotions in the States as well as through Enhypen's recent KCON 2022 LA appearance. He said, "Engenes are so precious [to me] and I was so thankful that I want to make eye contact with and hug each and every one of you." 

Following that the singer said he is thankful to the fans for the way they have showered their love over him and that he is realizing how precious fans are to him. Jake said, "I have made up my mind to sincerely repay all the love to fans who are always there by my side by performing well on stage." The singer said, "Thank you everyone for always being there for me through the ups and downs," and concluded the message with heartfelt appreciation for his fans. But, trolls are reading too much into the message as some believe this message was Jake's way of confirming that it was him in the photos as he thanked Engenes for supporting him in his downs.

'Letter of gratitude ≠ apology'

However, fans are calling these trolls out by saying that is far from the truth and that Jake's message was in relation to the recent appearances the group made. Fans claim that Jake always did this after their schedules and ask trolls to stop reading too much into it. One fan said, "He has always left us some heartfelt message since debut their debut. stop spreading false information!" One fan asked, "Wait so it’s actually him in that pic?" Another fan responded, "Nah he left message to us. Get a job."

One more fan clarified, "I don't get why netz are attacking his msg? What I get from this is that he wanted to thank his fans for supporting him through his ups and downs ("downs" in this case = the Itaewon scandal). He didn't apologize = doesn't that mean he did not acknowledge the rumor?" Another fan said, "Jake posted a letter of gratitude for his fans not a damn apology letter." One fan siad, "Your comprehension is so low go back to gradeschool geez." Another fan said, "No. He always post a letter of gratitude for the fans after they perform it has no correlation to the issue. Letter of gratitude ≠ apology letter." One fan said, "It's a message from engenes not about that itaewon thingy?? DONT BE DUMB."

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