Following her stint in the JTBC survival program for girl group rappers, “Second World,”former AOA member and leader Shin Ji-min is slated to release her first solo album, “Boxes,” on February 22, 2023.
Alo Malo Entertainment, Shin Ji-min’s agency, announced the news on February 8, 2023—14 days until the EP’s release.
[📢] 신지민(SHINJIMIN) – The 1st EP ALBUM 'BOXES'
2023.02.22 WED 12PM (KST)#신지민 #SHINJIMIN #BOXES #ALOMALO pic.twitter.com/EQDsTTUMSP
— 알로말로엔터테인먼트 (@alomalo_ent) February 8, 2023
This announcement was met with anticipation from her fans, who have long been waiting for her return to the music scene. However, not everyone seemed to be excited or delighted to hear news from the former AOA member, due to the allegations of bullying claimed by former bandmate Mina still fresh in their minds.
https://twitter.com/girlgrouparea/status/1623157913052381184?s=20&t=Q4JU3h09D1tH_CcJVNjziQ
https://twitter.com/girlgrouparea/status/1623193419303772160?s=20&t=Q4JU3h09D1tH_CcJVNjziQ
AOA Jimin will make her solo comeback on February 22nd. pic.twitter.com/pcNh9lTKhH
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) February 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/locxkey/status/1623218180687597570?s=20&t=Q4JU3h09D1tH_CcJVNjziQ
Mina gonna have another episode for sure
— Arrif Ramlan (@ARRIFmalik) February 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/badestbih/status/1623187065289728000?s=20&t=Q4JU3h09D1tH_CcJVNjziQ
https://twitter.com/jksheals/status/1623353397595328512?s=20&t=Q4JU3h09D1tH_CcJVNjziQ
It can be remembered that in July 2020, former AOA member Mina came forward on social media with her traumatic experience of being bullied by Ji-min. Mina claimed that she had been bullied by Ji-min for 10 years, and had tried to commit suicide in the past because of it.
Ji-min had initially reacted to Mina’s claims through an Instagram story saying that it was “fiction”. But later on, took down the Instagram story and posted a public apology. She retired from AOA since then and took a 3-year hiatus from the entertainment industry.
On July 14, 2022, it had been reported that Shin Ji-min had signed with Alo Malo Entertainment, beginning her return to the K-Pop scene.
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