Former AOA member and actress Kwon Mina addressed a wave of hateful messages with a calm yet unshakably firm stance.
On December 14, Kwon Mina revealed a malicious direct message (DM) sent to her on Instagram. The DM included personal attacks such as "Still alive?" and "How does it feel to have ruined the group?"
In response, Kwon Mina posted a long reply sharing her thoughts. "People are free to think and speak," she wrote, adding, "Only the people who were actually there know the truth, so I understand that most others will judge me differently." She continued, "It's also true that there was a time when I felt miserable, resentful, tormented—so much that I wanted to die. I wasn't in my right mind back then," candidly revealing her state at the time.
But Kwon Mina isn't dwelling on the past. "These days, I'm truly happy. I have a reason and goals to live for, and every day feels fun," she emphasized, signaling her current stability. She drew a line, saying, "I can't live my life the way you want," making clear her resolve to choose her own path.
"On my way home, I was on the subway with nothing to do, so I decided to reply," she added. "Thanks for taking the time to write such a long message and for the 'interest.'" Her closing remarks showed composure: "I don't particularly like the word 'pitiful,' but when I see people write such malicious things, I oddly feel sorry for them. So I want to cheer you on."
Kwon Mina debuted with AOA in 2012 and left the group in 2019. She later alleged via social media that she had been bullied for a long period by then-leader Jimin. Following the accusations, Jimin departed the group, and AOA effectively entered a path toward disbandment.