A poster for the Sechs Kies year-end performance. [Mountain Movement Story]
A poster for the Sechs Kies year-end performance. [Mountain Movement Story]

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of K-pop group Sechs Kies, has posted a cryptic message on social media as fans of the group issued a statement opposing his return to activities under the Sechs Kies name.

On Tuesday, Ko shared a photo on social media with the caption "Please!!" The image shows a person holding a finger to their lips in a "shush" gesture, and Ko set the background music to "Shut Up" by the Black Eyed Peas.

Ko offered no explanation for the post, but speculation has emerged that it was a response to a statement the Sechs Kies fandom released Tuesday opposing his rejoining the group.

Ko is set to hold a dinner-show style performance titled "The Tree in Inspire — Sechs Kies' Unfinished Story" with fellow former members Jang Su-won and Lee Jae-jin at Inspire Arena in Incheon on Dec. 15 and 16 at 6 p.m.

When news of the event broke, the Sechs Kies fandom released a statement Monday strongly opposing Ko's rejoining the group and resuming any activities under its banner. In the statement, fans said Ko "has caused great hurt and disappointment to fans by, among other things, exploiting the brand value of Sechs Kies and the fandom's support for personal gain and commercial promotion without authorization, even after announcing he would step away from group activities to focus on his own career." They added that they "cannot tolerate any attempt to resume activities under the team's name as needed, without showing a sincere commitment following his declaration to respect his own career path and withdraw from group activities," and warned that "a forced return that betrays fans' trust will only damage the group's overall image and divide the fandom." The fandom urged Ko to "immediately cease all commercial and personal activities using the Sechs Kies trademark and the group's name," and demanded that he "stop causing confusion among fans and the public by exploiting the group's reputation."

Ko Ji-yong, a former member of Sechs Kies. [Provided by Mountain Movement Story]
Ko Ji-yong, a former member of Sechs Kies. [Provided by Mountain Movement Story]

Some have questioned whether Ko can even be considered a current member of Sechs Kies. The group originally debuted as a six-member act, but only four members are now recognized as active, with Ko and Kang Sung-hun having departed. Ko announced his retirement from the entertainment industry after Sechs Kies disbanded in 2000 and focused on private business ventures. Ko did not participate when the group reunited through MBC's "Infinite Challenge — Totoga 2" in 2016, nor in subsequent group activities. In 2018, following another fan statement, Ko's name was removed from the official Sechs Kies profile entirely. Critics have also pointed out that the upcoming performance — which includes Ko but excludes current members Eun Ji-won and Kim Jae-deok — is problematic for proceeding under the Sechs Kies name.

Reports that Ko is in financial difficulty — to the point of being unable to pay child support to ex-wife Heo Yang-im — have fueled doubts about the sincerity of the performance's purpose.

Some caution against jumping to conclusions, however, noting that Ko's post could have been directed at Heo rather than at the fandom. News that the two divorced two years ago only became public in August.

Heo is raising the couple's son, and reports recently emerged that the two are in conflict over the child. Ko said he had filed for an injunction to prevent interference with his visitation rights and to ban the posting of photos and videos of the child, claiming Heo's side had blocked him from properly seeing his son. Heo's side denied interfering with Ko's visitation and alleged that Ko had failed to pay child support since the divorce. Ko is reported to have been unable to make payments due to a failed business venture and deteriorating health.


paq@heraldcorp.com