BoA Harassment and Retirement Speculation: SM Entertainment's Response

K-pop star BoA is reportedly experiencing severe mental distress after being targeted by offline graffiti attacks. This comes on the heels of her recent comments hinting at retirement, stating, "Is it okay to retire after my contract ends?" which has left fans in shock.

According to Channel A News, on June 5, a woman with a bob haircut was caught on CCTV vandalizing a bus stop in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul. The footage shows her writing derogatory and insulting messages about BoA on no-parking signs and utility poles.

The graffiti incidents did not stop there; similar vandalism was discovered in various locations across Gangnam, including Gangnam Station, Sinnonhyeon Station, and other areas in Gwangjin and Gangdong districts. In response, fans took it upon themselves to clean up the graffiti, while SM Entertainment officially filed a complaint.

On June 11, SM Entertainment announced, "We confirmed the graffiti through fan reports and our own monitoring. We have reported it to the police and will be submitting a formal complaint today. Spreading false information and public insults are clear criminal acts, and we will respond firmly without leniency."

However, the anger from fans remains palpable. Last year, BoA had posted on social media, "Is it okay to retire after my contract ends?" later clarifying that the word 'retirement' was intentional, not a typo. She reassured fans, stating, "My contract lasts until December 31, 2025. Until then, I will do my best to be happy as BoA," but concerns about her hinted retirement persist.

BoA has previously expressed her struggles with malicious comments and attacks. Recently, while portraying the villain Oh Yoo-ra in the drama 'Marry My Husband,' she faced a barrage of negative comments that blurred the lines between her character and real life. She publicly criticized the hate, stating, "Celebrities are people too. Malicious comments are always wrong," and hinted at her mental state regarding retirement, making the recent offline attacks even more painful.

SM emphasized that they are continuously pursuing legal action against malicious online posts and are committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions. They reiterated, "The artist is suffering from severe mental distress that is hard to bear, and we will impose strict penalties without leniency or settlement."

There are growing concerns that these attacks may escalate beyond mere speculation of retirement. Fans have expressed their sorrow, saying, "Now I understand why BoA wants to leave," and "I feel sorry for not being able to protect her."