141003 Life Without Jessica: Girls Generation Goes On

 

The three Girls Generation members who form the musical sub-unit Tatiseo were teary eyed at the mention of ex-band member Jessica Jung during a fan meeting in Seoul this week. It was the first time that the band”s members had publicly discussed the exit of their former member.

Taeyeon did not elaborate on any of the details of Jessica”s departure but her leaving was obviously an occasion for tears. Taeyeon stressed that all she ever thought about was protecting the group.

“I”m sorry, please trust us once more,” she said to the fans present and this reduced her fellow Tatiseo members Tiffany and Seohyun to tears.

Jessica Jung, who appeared in the drama “Wild Romance,” left the group this week, claiming that she was forced out. Her agency, SM Entertainment said that she asked to leave the group months ago so that she could spend more time promoting her newly launched fashion brand BLANC. While Jessica admitted that she discussed leaving with her fellow band members and agency, her press release stated that they had not set a specific date for her departure. She said that she was shocked by the agency”s sudden notice.

According to a statement made by SM, it was becoming too difficult to reconcile the demands of Jessica”s business promotion with her performing schedule. Although Jessica”s statements said that her fellow band members supported her business plans, some rumors said that some of Jessica”s fellow band members asked for her dismissal. Others said the agency pressured the band members to agree to her leaving. None of these rumors have been confirmed.

Since her last press release issued on Oct. 1, Jessica has gone into hiding. Her brand”s public relations representatives said they have no idea where she is.

“As we only created the press release at the time we do not know where Jessica is or what she is currently doing.”

They also said that they had no information about Jessica”s boyfriend, Korean-American investor Tyler Kwon.

Meanwhile the Korean media publication Sports World questioned the financial status of Tyler Kwon and the business plan for Jessica”s new fashion business BLANC. They quoted an investor who declined to invest in the brand because the business plan was lacking.

Girls Generation will continue to produce music and perform with eight members. Jessica Jung will continue to be represented as a solo artist by SM Entertainment, as will her sister, Krystal Jung, who is a member of f(x) and currently appears in the drama “My Lovable Girl.”