Shin Minah Reveals She was Sexually Harassed & Bullied by Fellow Members

Shin Minah revealed on her YouTube channel where goes by Cocoah, that she attempted to kill herself after being bullied by her fellow members continuously

Minah originally debuted in 2019 with ILUV but the group changed its members. The group's name also be changed to Botopass which stands for "BOrn TO be PASSion" and they are set to debut on August 4.

While training for her re-debut with the new group, Shin Minah has been continuously uploading videos to YouTube channel where she revealed the daily life of an idol trainee.

However, Minah confessed in one of her latest YouTube video that she had attempted to die by suicide the night before. She went to the Han River but fortunately, she was saved by a police officer.

I went to the Han Gang River at dawn and was thinking bad things and the police saved me. I won’t forget.

Thank you very much, police officer, who is a cousin of SHINee’s Taemin. Thank you for comforting my mom. I’ll say thank you when I get healthy.

— Minah

She revealed that she tried to take her own life because of the suffering she faced by the hands of “perpetrators”. She pleaded for them to stop.

I’d like to say a word to the perpetrators watching this YouTube. I’m so distressed because of you guys.

Please stop.

— Minah

Minah's fans were then quick to point out that the “perpetrators” that Minah was referring to are actually her fellow members who she was preparing to debut together.

Minah Came Forward Even Before The Video 

Days before she posted the video, Minah came forward and revealed that she was being bullied by her fellow members and that she was been living in fear for the past 6 months. Fans explained that Minah was being cursed at by her members who sexually harassed her and degraded her.

Fans added that Minah frequently expressed her suffering as she couldn’t sleep and has been trying to stay off of social media to help her mental health through Instagram.

In another previous video, Minah also revealed that she was tested for COVID-19 after passing out from excruciating pain. After testing negative, the doctor confirmed that her body suffered a breakdown due to depression, panic disorder and insomnia. Minah confessed that there were people who tormented her.

As you all know, I have depression, panic disorder, and insomnia. The reason for suffering from depression, panic disorder and insomnia is that they have gone through unfair and painful things.

Because there were people who made me sick and tormented me to live in hell.

— Minah

When Did The Bullying Start?

Minah revealed the bullying started exactly a couple of months after debuting with ILUV when she joined the members in a dorm.

In August 2019, I signed an exclusive contract and began living in a dorm with the other members.

At first, they bullied me to a point where I could withstand it but it began to get worse and worse. I was bullied for about 6 months. All of the members weren’t actually bullying her but they remained spectators even though they knew what was going on.

— Shin Minah

Minah revealed that the bullying got so bad to the point that a member forced her to watch a video of the member having sex with her boyfriend.

The Members Forcefully Took Minah's Phone

Minah decided to begin collecting evidence of their harassment to protect herself. However, a member began checking her phone so she decided to use other secretive measures to ensure her safety.

One of the members checked my phone. So to avoid her [deleting my evidence], I used burner phones or hid my phones to collect evidence.

— Shin Minah

The Agency Ignored Her

When she asked her agency for help, they ignored her. To make matters worse, they decided to cancel her contract on terms that she promise to keep quiet when her story began to gain attention on the internet but Minah bravely refused.

I asked the agency for help from the bullying countless times but they didn’t help. But after the bullying rumors arose, they sent me a confidentiality agreement on the terms that they cancel my contract.

Doesn’t that basically mean that what I’m saying is the truth? I refused to sign it.

— Shin Minah

The Agency Claims Minah is Lying

Fortunately, Minah was able to cancel her contract with the agency through legal help, but the agency continues to deny her story. They claim she is lying and that the other members were “shocked” from her “one-sided story.”

Because of the agency's claims, Minah has been suffering as malicious netizens began to claim she was lying to get attention.

Minah explained that all the agency’s employees knew that she was being bullied by her members. She emphasized that they were lying in their statement.

All the employees at the agency knows that I developed depression, panic disorder, and insomnia because of the members after I joined the agency.

You all knew that I was having a hard time because of the members, and you told me to halt promotions until this Fall… I never even heard about a solo album. Stop lying.

— Shin Minah

She also revealed that her former agency sent her an NDA to silence her but she refuses to sign because she plans on fighting for her truth.

Did you think if you sent me a nondisclosure agreement that I’ll sign it? Why can’t I speak about my own story? Are you scared since you don’t know what I’ll do? You sent me the NDA because I’m speaking the truth.

— Shin Minah

Minah Won't Back Down

Minah emphasized that she won’t be backing down and demanded a formal apology from both the agencies and the members.

I posted a message two days ago and a lot of people contacted me. Thank you so much for your concern… Thank you very much. I’m sorry I haven’t finished your reply yet.

It’s my first time to experience a hot phone. Many people are asking if we ate. Many people asked me if I was okay now. I still can’t eat it. I am currently 36kg.

One thing I can tell you is that I got a call from the company asking me to keep it a secret. I don’t know why I have to keep it a secret.

Shouldn’t you apologize? I want to be apologized to the people who gave me a hard time.

They’re probably watching this secretly. Think about it if you have a conscience. I’m dying. I know you’re watching secretly. Don’t hide.

— Shin Minah

Minah is currently receiving psychological treatment after the bullying she endured. Fans began trending the hashtag “#StayStrongCocoah”to send their love. They want her to know that she’s not alone but has the support of her fans and netizens around the world.

Message From Jade

This article has a video version posted on my Youtube channel, Asian Jade.

xoxo Jade  

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