Singer Gina broke her silence and announced a comeback 10 years after receiving a fine on charges including arranging prostitution. He said his period of "silence" was not because "those words" were true but because he was not yet ready, and he boldly declared he would open "chapter 2".
Gina debuted in 2010 with the digital single "Things I want to do if I get a lover" and established herself as a female solo artist with songs such as "I will leave you, live well", "Black & White", and "Top Girl".
However, Gina was tried in 2016 on charges of violating the Act on the Punishment of Acts Relating to the Arrangement of Prostitution and was fined 2,000,000 won, and after being expelled from the entertainment industry, she left Korea and settled in Canada, occasionally sharing updates via social media.
In 2026, the 16th anniversary of her debut and 10 years after receiving a fine on charges of arranging prostitution, Gina began to move in earnest. After announcing the remake of her debut song, which gave her her first music show No. 1, "I will leave you, live well," Gina said, "Wow.. it's already been 16 years since my debut. Thank you for still remembering me and being by my side."
Afterwards, Gina recalled the time she was expelled from the entertainment industry 10 years ago when she was fined, saying, "People say, 'You handled it really well.' No, I didn't. I was going crazy, I lost my vitality, I suffered in silence and couldn't ask for help. I was shattered alone."
Gina added, "Then I tried to smile. A smile that lies better than any mask. Didn't I handle it well? I just endured. Not because I was strong every day, but because I simply had no other option."
Gina's feelings continued. He posted a roughly one-minute video on his social media and said, "Hello, nice to meet you again. chapter 2. finding my voice."
Gina said, "Over the past few years I watched people from afar make up stories about me. Those writings never captured my true self. And for a long time I chose silence. Not because those words were true, but because I was not yet ready," and added, "People often misunderstand silence as having nothing to say. But sometimes silence is all that is needed to endure and survive. It can become a space needed for healing, and choosing to wait until you can finally speak proudly in your own voice."
She continued, "Standing here today at an age nearing 40 means more to me than words can explain. Not because I'm trying to go back to the past, but because it feels like finally introducing you to who I have become," and said, "She has become kinder to herself and is finally creating something from a place that feels true. I did not come here to prove my worth to strangers. I am here because music has always felt like home to me," adding, "This photoshoot was not just a simple photoshoot. It felt like the beginning of something I have dreamed of for a very, very long time. And when the time comes, you will hear my story delivered from me in my real voice, not from sensational headlines or baseless rumors. Until then I will continue the things I have always loved, song by song. So, hello. Nice to see you again."
Ten years after receiving a fine on charges of arranging prostitution, Gina said she felt ready and broke her "silence." She announced her return by declaring "chapter 2."
Opinions were divided over Gina's return. Some netizens welcomed her return to the music market or noted that other stars with criminal records have resumed activities, so there was no reason Gina could not do so, while some netizens expressed discomfort that a singer who committed prostitution is coming back and questioned whether she was returning to Korea to make money.
[OSEN]