Chungha Won't be Able to Use Fandom Name 'Byulharang,' SNS After Leaving MNH
After leaving MNH Entertainment, soloist Chungha had to start from scratch again after the company TOOK AWAY her fandom name and official social media accounts.
MNH Applies Trademark for Fandom Name 'Byulharang' + Gets to Keep Chungha's SNS
After about eight years with her former label MNH Entertainment, soloist Chungha announced that she will be starting anew under Jay Park's company, MORE VISION.
In October, she hinted at her return to the music scene, despite initially planning to take a hiatus to study abroad after leaving her former company.
Prior to leaving MNH Entertainment in April, she released the album, "Bare&Rare, Pt. 1" in July 2022, her last album in the agency.
ALSO READ: Chungha Reveals Reason She Joined Jay Park's MORE VISION: 'I felt like I had no identity'
Chungha's departure wasn't fully a surprise to Byulharangs (fandom) since the idol initially called out her company for "not" letting her have her solo world tour, hinting at dissatisfaction.
During a live broadcast, she directly said that she wanted to leave MNH as well:
"I want to leave, please take me out."
Since then, Chungha rarely had scheduled activities and eventually left the label. However, being their "money-making" artist since 2016, fans thought that MNH would treat the idol with respect in return for her loyalty to them.
Unfortunately, fans showed frustration after an OP raised concerns regarding Chungha losing her fandom name to MNH.
In 2018, the "Gotta Go" singer revealed her fandom name, Byulharang, which literally means "stars with Chungha" (Byul = star, rang = with, ha - taken from Chungha's name).
The fans represent "stars" who accompany their "moon," Chungha.
Using this for about six years, the name became a significant connection between the fandom and Chungha. But earlier, fans were notified that they won't be able to use it anymore after MNH Entertainment applied for its trademark rights.
This is not the only thing that infuriates fans. Chungha's official social media accounts used for her promotional activities were also taken away by her previous label, despite its million followers and the brand she created.
Chungha Accepts Suggestions for New Fandom Name, Creates New SNS Accounts
As a result, Chungha, under MORE VISION, launched a new official SNS. From 5 million followers on her old account, she's now down to 130k again.
On November 20, the idol also opened a poll, asking for suggestions for a new fandom name to mark her new journey.
[NOTICE]
— 청하 CHUNGHA (@CH_CHUN9HA) November 20, 2023
청하(CHUNG HA) – 팬 네임 변경 및 공모 안내(KOR/ENG)
🔗 https://t.co/JdV7S1Vj4K#CHUNGHA #청하
상표등록되어있네시팔... https://t.co/j5ZzAHiIuU pic.twitter.com/P4Kmjm9Nq2
— 청비 (@29___ch) November 20, 2023
The submission of the new fandom name will end on November 30 and will be announced afterward.
Regarding this, Chungha announced in a live broadcast that she will have a rebrand, hence; the change in everything. Fans can also anticipate the new genre and music the female artist will show under MORE VISION.
Despite the idol consoling fans, the fandom continued to criticize MNH for being unprofessional and disrespecting Chungha's work for them for about a decade in total since her trainee days.
Here are some of Byulharang's X posts:
Byulharang was such an important and beautiful name for us… This absolutely sucks and forever f*ck MNH, but now let’s actually give each other and Chungha the new and better beginning we deserve. Let’s discuss a new fandom name and make it even more meaningful to us. pic.twitter.com/3EGticVUg4
— ً (@royalchungha) November 20, 2023
Mnh continue to mistreat and hurt chungha even after she left. Selling her private polaroids to make money and now trademarking byulharang so she has to change her fandom name 6 YEARS INTO HER CAREER and having to start over on social media.. im seething.
— ram ʚ♡ɞ haart (@ultskimchungha) November 20, 2023
This is ridiculous so many idols and artists switch companies and are able to keep everything from before why does chungha have to start from scratch again i dont want a new fandom name byulharang is perfect it means so much to us why why WHH
— ram ʚ♡ɞ haart (@ultskimchungha) November 20, 2023
READ MORE: 6 K-pop Artists Who Started Fresh THIS 2023: Chuu, Sandara Park, Chungha, MORE!
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Written by Eunice Dawson.