BlockBerry Creative confirmed LOONA's return in January 2023 after the news broke on Wednesday, December 7. However, fans seem divided if the girl group will return with 10 or 11 members after Chuu's removal.
BlockBerry Creative officially released a statement after the comeback claims spread online like wildfire. So, will fans see the LOONA members on the same stage again next year?
The company's rep told the media outlets via AllKpop, that it was true the girls had begun their comeback preparations. However, the spokesperson couldn't reveal the exact time frame of their return, revealing it was still unconfirmed.
"Once the schedule is confirmed, we plan to make an announcement," the rep concluded.
Several media outlets also claimed that LOONA would come back as an 11-member group, not 10, after Chuu's removal. If it's true, it will be the first time the girls will perform together after Chuu was kicked off from the group last month.
In November, BlockBerry Creative released a statement after Chuu's removal. The latter was removed from the group due to alleged "violent language and misuse of power" toward a staff member.
The agency cleared that it wasn't doing any harm against Chuu, and the reason for her removal wasn't an "exposé." It also stressed that it didn't want to paint the female idol badly, with some published articles claiming Chuu wasn't a kind person.
It continued that it had already explained the reason behind Chuu's removal and confirmed the incident between her and the staff member. Hence, it asked everyone to stop making speculative reports without evidence and with added malicious comments and rumors defaming both BlockBerry Creative and Chuu.
It also promised to provide more information and evidence about the matter if Chuu and the victim agreed. In addition, it also asked everyone to stop making "indiscriminate and groundless speculative reports" that the remaining LOONA members weren't hurt by the incident and could start their activities once again as if nothing happened.
BlockBerry Creative denied rumors that Chuu had already signed with another agency earlier. There were also reports back in October that she found her own agency, to which the firm said that the rumors of her transfer were "groundless."
Alternatively, Chuu released her own statement on Instagram and thanked fans for their "concern and comfort." She then explained that she hadn't received any call about the situation or knew anything about it.
Hence, she was just "grasping the situation" and stressed that she didn't do anything that would hurt her fans. Chuu then swore to release a new statement when she finally confirmed the situation.
