K-pop fans are raising major concerns for the safety and wellbeing of girl group RESCENE after a series of alarming reports and viral videos surfaced online.
Recently, a video uploaded on Idol Backstage’s YouTube channel revealed shocking treatment from the company. According to the video, RESCENE members had their dorm doors removed as punishment for sneaking lunchboxes because they were starving.
While promoting health and fitness is common in the industry, fans argue that punishing idols for eating or snacking is abusive and unacceptable.
Adding to the concern, past live featuring RESCENE members are now going viral again.
In these videos, members can be heard being yelled at in the background, with some voices sounding like men shouting aggressively.
In one case, a member was seen with a visible bruise on her right arm. When questioned, the CEO claimed it was caused by a passerby.
Another disturbing report suggested that allegedly a male manager told members to sleep in his room if the AC wasn’t working.
While industry norms sometimes involve groups living with managers, fans argue that female idols should only live with female managers, making the situation highly inappropriate
After the videos went viral, Josh, CEO of The Muze Entertainment, released a long clarification:
He apologized for causing worry and said much of what was shared on Idol Backstage was exaggerated for entertainment. He clarified that the masked manager is female and no male staff enter the dorms. The missing door was not removed as punishment but came off accidentally, and members never asked to have it reinstalled.
He emphasized that the members are eating well, not underfed, and that the company prioritizes their health and happiness. Josh also explained that the shouting heard in live broadcasts came from passersby outside, not staff, as the company is located near a university. He assured fans that staff treat the members like family, remain in close contact with parents, and that no member regrets joining the company.
While some fans accepted the clarification, many remain skeptical. Critics argue that the explanation does not align with the multiple live broadcasts where members were visibly distressed or where shouting could be heard in the background.
Others say they still plan to boycott RESCENE’s promotions and The Muze Entertainment until a proper investigation is conducted.
The controversy continues to spark wider debate about the safety and treatment of young idols in the K-pop industry.
For now, fans insist they will keep raising awareness and demand that RESCENE’s environment be made safer, no matter how the company explains the situation.
