Zhang Jinyou (file photo)
Arirang group (file photo)
On November 6, there were rumors circulating that Arirang member Zhang Jinyou had accumulated a huge debt and was kidnapped in South Korea, possibly already being killed. In response to this, the reporter immediately contacted the group's captain Jin Zhenan. Jin Zhenan confirmed that Zhang Jinyou has been missing for almost three months: "We haven't been able to get in touch with him, and I've also seen those messages online, but it's definitely not as exaggerated as the rumors suggest." A staff member from Lang Four Brothers company also denied the possibility of Arirang using this incident for publicity.
Captain confirms Zhang Jinyou has been missing for nearly 3 months
Recently, there have been rumors online that Arirang's second member Zhang Jinyou was involved with the girlfriend of a Korean gangster boss and owed millions in debt, resulting in his kidnapping in South Korea, and he may have already been killed. In response to this rumor, Sina Entertainment immediately sought confirmation from Arirang's captain Jin Zhenan. Jin Zhenan said he and the other two members of the group were performing at the China Agricultural Song Festival in Chuzhou, Anhui. He confirmed the news of Zhang Jinyou's disappearance but also stated that the actual situation should not be as exaggerated as the online rumors: "We really can't get in touch with Jinyou, it's been almost three months. His family can't reach him either. I've also seen that message online, it's definitely not as exaggerated as the rumors say!"
Company denies it's a publicity stunt
There are also reports suggesting that Arirang is using this incident for publicity, as some netizens previously revealed that Arirang was planning a ten-year anniversary concert. Regarding this, Ms. Guo, a staff member from Lang Four Brothers company, denied it: "I haven't heard about Arirang planning a ten-year anniversary concert, and their new album 'Lanhuazhi' was just released at the beginning of the year. They currently don't have plans to release a new album."