Jeon Somi Neglected by The Black Label? Subtle Response amid Fans’ Criticism?

Years of Neglect: Why Fans Are Upset

On March 19, a topic titled “Jeon Somi‘s 7-year activity level makes it understandable why fans are upset” was published on the Korean forum “theqoo”, drawing significant attention with over 84,000 views and 300 comments.

According to this topic, Somi, who moved from JYP Entertainment to The Black Label in 2018, has only released 15 songs in the past seven years. Her last officially promoted track, “Fast Forward,” was released in August 2023, and her final release was the special single “Ice Cream” in August 2024, marking yet a long gap between comebacks. Fans expected The Black Label to maximize her potential and keep her in the public eye, yet her domestic promotions remain scarce, and international activities are almost nonexistent.

Most shockingly, Somi has never had a solo concert or a proper fan club launch. Her only fan meeting took place in 2019, with no follow-up events despite her continued presence in the industry. Even content uploads on her official YouTube channel are minimal, leaving supporters with little to engage with between sporadic music releases.

Disappointed fans have taken to social media to express their grievances, with comments such as:

• I like Somi and always search for her comeback news, but there’s never anything.
• The Black Label is such a mess… I love Somi’s music, but there’s no promotion, so there’s nothing to show
• Considering her age, Somi is at her peak as an idol. Neglecting her like this is way too much.
• I honestly thought she had stopped being a singer
• Isn’t Somi approaching the time to reconsider her contract renewal? She’ll probably make the best choice for herself.

Somi’s Subtle Response

As fan outcry continued, Somi appeared to acknowledge the situation in an indirect but pointed way. In particular, under a TikTok comment saying how Somi is wasting her peak years waiting idly in The Black Label as her career only amounts to TikTok dances, Somi simply said, “Yeah ouch”.

Fans quickly interpreted this as the female idol’s subtle way of addressing the backlash against her agency. While she didn’t explicitly call out The Black Label, many believe this was her way of showing that she is aware of the disappointment surrounding her lack of promotions.

What’s Next for Somi?

With her contract renewal period likely approaching, speculation is mounting over whether Somi will remain with The Black Label or seek better opportunities elsewhere. Fans are urging her to make a decision that prioritizes her career growth, hoping that she will find a company that will actively support her ambitions.

The Black Label has yet to respond to the criticisms, but with Somi’s subtle acknowledgment, all eyes are on what her next move will be. Whether this backlash leads to a more structured promotion plan or a potential departure from the company, one thing is clear: fans are no longer willing to stay silent about Somi’s stagnant career under The Black Label.