T.O.P‘s agency has issued an official apology after a fan site that supported the former BIGBANG member for 20 years announced its closure, accusing the singer and his management of neglecting fans, avoiding responsibility, and taking their longtime dedication for granted. The controversy has also attracted attention following recent reports about T.O.P’s relationship with After School member Nana.
On October 10, T.O.P’s agency, TOPSPOT PICTURES, released a statement through its official social media account addressing the growing criticism. “We are taking the opinions recently shared by fans very seriously. We sincerely apologize for failing to provide sufficient updates about the artist’s activities and maintain proper communication with those who have patiently waited for him, causing disappointment and frustration,” the agency stated.
The company added, “Moving forward, we will listen more closely to the feedback we receive and actively reflect fans’ opinions in the artist’s activities and our overall management.”
The apology came after CHOIDOT, a fan site dedicated to T.O.P, whose real name is Choi Seung Hyun, announced on October 9 that it would permanently cease operations. The fan community had been active since August 24, 2006, marking more than two decades of support for the former BIGBANG member.
In its farewell statement, the fan site’s administrators expressed deep disappointment with the artist and his agency. “Despite describing the album as being ‘for the fans,’ the performances and communication that fans wanted and waited for the most were insufficient. Not only album promotions and publicity, but even practical responsibilities involving fan communication and support have been left to the voluntary efforts of an independent fan site,” the statement alleged.
The administrators also addressed the recent cancellation of a fan-organized exhibition dedicated to T.O.P, explaining that the decision was unavoidable because of low participation and increasingly difficult operating costs.
The exhibition, inspired by T.O.P’s first full-length solo album, ANOTHER DIMENSION, had originally been scheduled to take place from October 31 to November 1. Fans had spent considerable time preparing the event to celebrate the singer’s music and career.
According to CHOIDOT, the exhibition was initially planned to accommodate approximately 300 attendees. However, the number of applications reached only around 25% of the expected capacity. Following additional cancellations, the number of participants reportedly dropped to approximately 50, making it financially and logistically difficult to proceed. The organizers ultimately decided to cancel the event.
Meanwhile, reports emerged on October 2 that T.O.P was dating Nana, a member of After School who is now active as an actress. Some online users subsequently speculated that the exhibition had been canceled because fans were angry about his reported relationship.
CHOIDOT strongly rejected that interpretation, arguing that the cancellation had been unfairly portrayed as an emotional reaction from fans upset about T.O.P’s dating life. The administrators criticized what they perceived as the agency’s response, stating, “From our perspective, the agency seemed more concerned about the fact that we publicly disclosed the reservation figures than about the actual problems behind the situation. Fans’ love and support should not be something that can be used when convenient and ignored when uncomfortable.”
The fan site concluded with an emotional message about its growing disappointment over the years. “There were many days when we felt that his decisions, activities, and the direction he was taking were ultimately only for himself, while fans were being pushed aside. Even so, we wanted to continue supporting him unconditionally,” the administrators wrote.
They continued, “However, if he has a vision of what he wants to achieve, we believe he should have worked harder than anyone else to make it happen himself. We hope he will finally let go of the arrogance of assuming that fans will naturally do whatever he wants simply because they are his fans.”
Sources: Nate