𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗻𝗵𝗼/𝗦𝗦𝗘 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

NOTE: This is more of an objective perspective, my own opinions will be tied in, but my feelings will be at the end.
#WonhoBelongsWithMX7
#원호야_네가_있을_곳은_우리_옆이야
@OfficialMonstaX

Firstly, if you've been into kpop for a while (like me) think back to a time where a member facing a scandal with 𝘗𝘖𝘛𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘐𝘈𝘓 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 ever received ANY help from their company. Think about whether they were able to bounce back quickly. Can't?+

Yeah, me neither (if there is a case, please let me know, I surely don't know every idol/sc*ndal out there, but this was the first in my experience).

As many Posibebes (myself included) thought, there WAS something happening behind the scenes. Legal battles, and he came through+

as innocent of all possible charges. These allegations were false of course, but he needed to have that proven. Now, even if SSE staff/executives know Wonho and probably like him (he's just so loveable, who wouldn't like him!?), SSE executives will have to focus on the company,+

not a former idol who is facing allegations. In many scenarios, the company would drop the idol. Their face would be taken out of the website, merch, etc. in less than 48 hours. Their existence in the group would be almost completely erased, only kept in the memories of fans.+

SSE slowly erased Wonho's presence. They took his picture off the official Monsta X website Nov 12th KST. Twelve whole days after the allegations started spreading. This was very peculiar. As time kept going, as the public saw the traces of him that remained, these small pieces+

began to disappear. It was almost as if they were trying to hide him as the public caught up. Could this have been their negligence? Maybe. But I think the website picture removal was a clear indication that he was not out of the company.+

I don't know Korean law (or any law for that matter; I'm studying biology lol), but from what I've read, once an artist leaves the company, the company cannot use the artist's image for profit.+

There was no real advantage for SSE keeping Wonho's image either way. They wouldn't want to put their artist, their employees, essentially their assets, at risk by having them (Monsta X) associated with a sc*ndal, regardless of the truth to the matter. However, they kept Wonho's+

name and face on the MX website and merch for longer than they should have IF they intended to erase him completely. His presence 𝘸𝘢𝘴 erased, but it was a slow burn. This must have been to protect him from potential attacks by knetz and further gossip.+

This was smart of them. They took him out of public eye when he was under a lot of social pressure. They prevented him from being further targeted for harassment under false allegations. They let the intensity around the situation settle down. Keeping him in public view could+

have been detrimental to the preinvestigation process. The only reason they would make information public, would be to make the fans (i.e. Monbebe) happy. However, in the long run, it would be the best case scenario to see his name cleared in an efficient and thorough manner.+

So why would they waste their time, energy, and funds all on an idol that they dismissed due to allegations? For someone who they aren't going to represent? They care about his image. Why? Because he's still employed under them. If they wanted to drop him, the most they would+

have done would be to redirect him to the proper resources so that he may make an attempt to clear his name. But no, they helped him throughout the process and even released a statement (with a rather vague conclusion as to whether he is back in the group or not).+

"So...why isn't SSE saying anything? Why hasn't his reinstatement been announced yet?"

Good question. A lot of people say SSE is playing with our emotions; I'd hate to break it to you, but frankly, they don't care about the fans' emotions. They care about sales. They aren't+

bullies, nor are they friends of our's, they are a corporation. So think strategy here; what would this company do to utilize the situation so that they gain as much profit as possible? They would use his reinstatement as additional promotion for the Korean comeback.+

I believe they first let the Japanese comeback release (through Mercury, not SSE), which already happened. Then, SSE would want to allow their new boy group debut (04/14). Monsta X is scheduled to make a Korean comeback in May.+

If they release news of Wonho's reinstatement WITH the comeback teasers/announcement, it would gain a lot of attention. Of course, Monbebes would be aware of their comeback and support it, but this would drag the attention of the general public, especially because a+

reinstatement in a kpop group has never occurred before. This would only be additional promo, adding fuel to the fire.

"Monsta X pulled off something that has never been done before, and hey you can check out their new comeback too."

Imagine the success of the comeback.+

Now, do I think SSE could have handled the whole situation better? YES. They caused a lot of panic (especially at the beginning) and heartbreak. They truly should have handled this issue in a more professional manner. But it might have been due to panic within the company and+

this being a time sensitive issue to settle down the heat around Wonho. But I still feel like they should have organized a better plan. I don't want to take away from the fact that they DID help him, but I do blame them for their poor methods in handling the backlash.+

To end this insanely long thread, I just want to leave a message for my fellow Monbebes:

We're strong, both Monsta X and Monbebe. In our bonds and in our spirits. We can get through this, but it just takes a little optimism and bravery. I understand that sometimes we can't find+

the courage to have hope. Sometimes we're just trying to protect ourselves from getting hurt again. But that just keeps us in one place. To be productive with our efforts, to move forward to our goals, we mustn't let ourselves lose hope.+

Just because something bad 𝘮𝘢𝘺 happen, we shouldn't give up so easily, because then we are eliminating any chance for something good happening. Your pain is valid, I am in pain too. But let's help one another get through this.+

We're fighters. As Monsta X is Monbebe's protectors, Monbebe is Monsta X's protectors as well. We'll stand by one another no matter what. That's what I learned from being in this fandom. Let's continue to hope and keep moving forward, okay? Monbebe let's stay strong for Monsta X!

I would also like to add that personally I would have loved a simple return. Like a surprise vlive with the seven of them. Something to thank all Monbebes rather than to use this news as a promotional technique. However, sadly companies just don't care for sentimentality. ://