Copyright sportskeeda
On Friday, November 7, Seoul Economic Daily reported that the former Teen Top member, Bang Min-soo, will be standing as the president of the new venture, Idol Union. The Idol Union is an upcoming union that is centered around protecting the rights and interests of the K-pop idols in the industry.The union will also be focusing on improving the working conditions and bettering the mental health and human rights protection of the K-pop idols. While many fans were thrilled about the new venture and its necessity in the K-pop industry, they grew skeptical about the same after learning that Bang Min-soo, also known as C.A.P., will stand as the preparatory committee chair. This was not well-received by netizens, given his controversial past.During a livestream in 2023, the idol held a YouTube livestream and smoked a cigarette while hosting the same. Following this, Bang Min-soo also cursed at the viewers for asking about his smoking and stated that he would not be participating in the then-upcoming Teen Top's comeback. He also stated that he wanted to leave the group since his contract is ending soon.Soon after the same, he was removed from the group and agency and joined a new label, Moden Berry Korea, in May 2025. This led to netizens raising further concerns about his past as a viral TikTok about Teen Top's Neil getting stitches after a fight with Bang Min-soo landed on the internet. Additionally, with the latest news about his presidential position at Idol Union raised more concerns have been raised regarding the safety of K-pop girl groups and female artists.This concern was majorly due to his old statement made back in 2016, where he stated that if he had a son, he would support him completely and let to do whatever he wants, but if he had a daughter, he would beat her up and lock her inside the house because the outside world is cruel. This sparked misogynistic allegations against the idols.Therefore, while fans believed that the venture was needed and productive for the K-pop industry, they expressed their lack of trust in the Idol Union's president, Bang Min-soo. Here are a few fan reactions regarding the same:"A big joke they just try to protect this big companies." said a fanRhankie @Seanne1008LINKA big joke they just try to protect this big companies.More fans and netizens expressed their displeasure with the upcoming venture, Idol Union.odessa ⭑ @hyeindolliLINKHold on, they made the idol who said he would beat his daughter, the chairman of this union?? free girl groups♛Rose♛≷²⁰| ᥫ᭡ @neviecutieLINKThis is a bust. Do not fall for this. The very same people who are the perpetrators for such mistreatment and abuse are the ones launching this "Idol Union". This is a set up.고사리 @driedgosariLINKthe head of it being fucking CAP from teen top 😭 even if he does prove me wrong and actually gets sh*t done im sure the women and non koreans will not see any benefits🐇 @NJZBTSLINKchairman of this "union" being a close associate of bang sihyuk who did not only make racist remarks against a viet-australian idol but also confessed he would beat his daughter to force her to "stay inside" the houseOthers also shared their thoughts and opinions about the same.minnie @kittysnakehyuneLINKThe chairman of an idol union being a misogynistic a*shole who beat his member up to the point of him having to go to the emergency room... how ironicNJZ Fund @iseauseameeLINKIdols have no future when you know who behind this “Idol Union”honey 허니 @oraclebunniesLINKhow are you gonna lead a union while mocking the young woman who stood up bravely against it and have a misogynist historymarjosh @josmar2eLINKThe president of "Idol Union" is a misogynist who verbally and physically abused his former colleagues. If they truly want to create an idol association, they should replace that man, who is more of an abuser than a victim.All you need to know about the upcoming venture in the K-pop industry, Idol UnionOn November 6, the Preparatory Committee, Idol Union, submitted an establishment report to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Seongnam Branch, in September 2024, and on October 13, 2025. Approval from the Ministry of Employment and Labor to recognize K-pop idols as workers is expected by the end of November 2025.So far, ten K-pop idols have already expressed their intentions to join the Idol Union, and one of the revealed members is singer Ailee. In addition to Bang Min-soo, the chairman of Idol Union, Seo Min-sun will oversee all preparations and public relations for the Idol Union's establishment.The union also sent a request to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism regarding the mental health management of the K-pop idols. The requests mentioned in the same are listed below:Appropriate responses from agencies in cases of malicious comments - Legal action, deletion requests, and lawsuit support.Possession and operation of a mental health management manual.Notifying guardians and managing counseling records during events of danger.Additionally, here's what the union explained to recognize K-pop idols as workers:“In reality, idols provide labor according to a schedule in a set location such as a practice room or dormitory under the direction and supervision of their agency, and receive continuous compensation in the form of a settlement amount, so there is a high possibility that they will be recognized as workers under the Labor Standards Act.”However, many of the procedures of establishing and getting approvals for the union are still underway, and the venture can be expected to launch sometime by the end of this year.
