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Ex-IZ*ONE star Choi Yena SHOCKED by rumors about her being 'sponsored' by a CEO

Yuehua Entertainment stated that 'Choi Yena has nothing to do with the said rumors'

IZ*ONE was a leading girl group that was formed through the K-pop survival show ‘Produce 48’. The winners ended up forming the 12-member girl group and went on to have quite a successful but short journey. After their contracts ended, their impact was evident with fans collecting more than $2.6 million just so IZ*ONE could reunite or have a comeback one last time. And while that failed, fans have been supporting each and every member like Choi Yena.

Choi Yena is a host and actress under the multinational label, Yuehua Entertainment. Having been known for her entertainment skills as well, she was also a variety show regular. It was later announced that she would be debuting solo following the disbandment of her group, IZ*ONE. But her solo career has been marred with rumors that she was sponsored by a CEO to which she and her label has finally responded.

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Choi Yena subject to rumors of being favored

In 2019, Mnet who produced the ‘Produce’ series which was a survival show that had formed many popular K-pop groups, was under fire for manipulation of votes. The K-pop groups Wanna One and X1 that were formed through the male version of the ‘Produce’ survival show reportedly disbanded due to these allegations which later turned out to be partly true and is still under investigation. And with Mnet apologized for rigging their ‘Produce’ series, eyes have been on the show and its aftermath. 

Last week, many reports cropped up that a CEO had “sponsored” a female celebrity. After further digging, they announced that the CEO was Lee Jay Hyun’s younger brother and the CEO of Lee Jay Hyun Property Holdings. Lee Jay Hyun is the CEO of CJ Group, the parent company of Mnet who produced IZ*ONE’s survival show ‘Produce 48’. It was rumored that the female idol was IZ*ONE’s Choi Yena and that the CEO had supposedly helped her become a regular on variety shows and other programs that were produced by CJ Group’s channels and content platforms.

Choi Yena's response

Regarding these rumors, Yena and her label spoke up on December 6. Yuehua Entertainment stated that “Choi Yena has nothing to do with the said rumors.” And they would be taking legal action against these trolls who had caused psychological harm to 22-year-old Yena who had yet to achieve her dreams. Even Yena personally wrote a letter regarding the matter. She claimed that the CEO was a stranger and didn’t know how people had linked them together. She added that she was just focusing on her job and was mentally shocked by such ridiculous claims.

Fans trended Choi Yena as they sent her supportive messages. One fan tweeted, “Yena is a reserved person according to her family, even izone members esp when it comes to her thoughts & feelings, keeping the worries and pain to herself until it goes rotten seeing her defend herself bcs she "can't handle it anymore" was truly heartbreaking.” Another posted, “Defending choi yena on the internet isn’t enough. i need a gun.” One commented, “My precious girl who only deserves the best I love you Choi Yena.”