Lee Naeun to return with major role in The Defects: Everything to know about Won Jin Ah starrer and APRIL disbandment

Lee Naeun is officially returning to tv with her first main characteristic. On July 18, Namoo Actors confirmed that the idol-grew to vary into-actress has been solid in ENA’s recent rush thriller The Defects. The drama is determined to premiere on July 21, 2025. This marks her first main public look in different years following a lengthy hiatus.

Lee Naeun returns amid previous APRIL controversy

Lee Naeun’s return has taken many all of a sudden. In 2020, she grew to vary into embroiled in a excessive-profile controversy. Inclined APRIL member Lee Hyunjoo alleged she had been b*llied at some stage in her time in the neighborhood. A submit made by someone claiming to be Hyunjoo’s younger brother went viral. He accused fellow members, along with Naeun, of contributing to the singer’s departure.

Extra anonymous posts surfaced online, intensifying the accusations. At the time, APRIL’s company DSP Media denied all claims. Naeun herself issued a non-public statement via the legit fan café, strongly refuting the allegations. In spite of affirming her innocence, the backlash resulted in Naeun suspending all activities. In 2022, APRIL officially disbanded.

Lee Naeun’s characteristic in The Defects

The Defects follows a neighborhood of younger other folks who narrowly stay on death after being betrayed by their adoptive families. Thrown real into a world of abandonment and violence, these younger other folks invent a conclude-knit neighborhood. They fight for survival while looking out for revenge in opposition to the adults who failed them.

Lee Naeun plays Somi, one in every of the abandoned younger other folks. She, no matter her tragic previous, exudes strength and positivity. Somi attracts hope from her bond with Ahyeon, the neighborhood’s chief, portrayed by actress Gained Jin Ah. The characteristic marks a shift for Naeun, who’s identified for lighter, formative years-centered roles, making this project her most emotionally intense but.

Naeun’s casting receives blended reactions from the public

News of Naeun’s casting has instant spread online, with many viewers expressing shock at her return. Although she made brief appearances in Rupture and Flex X Cop in 2024, they had been restricted to customer roles. This time, nonetheless, she takes on a supporting characteristic with considerably extra screen screen time. It prompted netizens to grab better behold of her return.

Some fans are cautiously optimistic about her comeback. Nevertheless, others dwell skeptical as a result of unresolved nature of the previous controversy. Whether or no longer this marks a recent birth or sparks further debate remains to be considered.