Due to the idol absence from AOA activities many fans have been speculating her leaving the group!
Back then FNC said that the idol is only taking a hiatus but not leaving the group.
Sadly, today on the 22nd of June, the former AOA member Chao wrote a sincere heartfelt letter to fans announcing her departure from the group.
What she wrote translates to:
Hello is Choa,
To my abrupt termination
Many of you are interested.
Thank you for your concern and I’m sorry.
It’s a little late.
I would like to tell about the decision I made when choosing to rest.
As soon as I made my debut as a team called AOA, we’ve received lots of love and attention and I appreciated the love we received.
I was the oldest in my group, but I still consider myself young.
While doing activities, I often wanted to cry. But I had to hold it in because many fans saw me as a bright figure.
I thus only cried to myself and had to still appear happy.
The more I tried to hide it, the sicker I got.
To treat Insomnia and Depression, I took medications, and even have been scaling down my work schedule two years ago.
It was not a problem of tiredness and thus I eventually stopped all activities.
Remembering those who waited for me, I tried to get it back to work.
But because of my hiatus I thought that if all the negative attention persisted it would damage my team members even more.
After consultation with my agency (FNC), I am leaving AOA today, but I will always cheer the members’ activities.
During the eight years of preparing and becoming an entertainer, I had learned a lot
Even this moment which is hard for me, I think it’s still a growing process.
I am 28 years old, I am looking forward to the confusing oneself, In addition to the past eight years of being an idol I would like to fill the remaining of my twenties with experiences appropriate to my age.
Apart from the personal activities that are currently scheduled, I do not think about doing activities for now. Someday I will not be afraid anymore, and I will look better than now, then I would like to come back if there are still people cheering me on.
I am a lacking person in many way, but I am deeply grateful to those who are concerned.
To the members who have been together for a long time, and to those who helped me overcome what I lack so I can be loved, and to those who loved me and AOA.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
How do you feel about Choa for leaving the group?
Will you continue to support her?
My Reaction
Wow! That was one long heartfelt letter to fans…
Mental health is a huge issue in the idol world, many think that money can solve everything, but it really doesn’t, it creates problems that money can’t solve.
I was almost certain she was leaving back when we covered the news last month, back then FNC told everyone that she’s only on a hiatus, but something was clearly off.
I just wish the best for the idol, I hope the she right now can take her depression more seriously; it’s a serious issue that can lead to bigger problems if it goes untreated.
I understand why she chose to leave because all the bad attention she’s been receiving is not good for her group, its better to be precise and cut ties immediately than keep hanging by a thread.
I wish unnie the best with her road to recovery, and I hope that one day we’ll see her back on stage!