K-Pop Star Admits To Trauma After Being Criticized For Ignoring Collapsed Dancer

She did the best she could.

Nam Gyuri, former member of SeeYa, has spoken up directly about the past controversy surrounding a backup dancer fainting on stage.

On August 19, YouTube channel 1theK Originals released a video titled “Why Can’t SeeYa Reunite?” In the video, Nam Gyuri said she stumbled across an online category listing her “controversies and incidents,” which included the 2006 SBS Inkigayo stage accident when a backup dancer collapsed during SeeYa’s live performance of “Crazy Love Song.”

Talking about the stage environment, she recalled that she couldn’t see well on stage. Coupled with her nerves, she couldn’t react properly.

“It was such a huge incident. The strobe lights were so intense that I couldn’t even see the red camera light indicating where to look. I had so many schedules then that I think I learned the choreography in just two or three days. I was so focused and thought I hadn’t made a single mistake, so I felt relieved, then this incident happened. I was in the very front of the large formation, so I couldn’t see what was going on. I wish the company had asked me, but instead, a statement of reflection was released in my name without me knowing. It said, ‘As a rookie, I couldn’t respond properly because I thought I had to finish the stage.’ But if I had seen it, I’m not the type to just stand there. I would’ve signaled somehow.”

The incident caused Nam Gyuri to develop trauma.

“From then on, I developed stage trauma. Everywhere I went, people pointed fingers. At convenience stores, people who recognized me would curse at me. Online hate comments I could ignore, but being cursed at to my face hurt me at such a young age. It’s upsetting because it feels like a misunderstanding piled up.”

At the time, SeeYa’s agency posted an official apology on the fan café, admitting they “failed to respond appropriately,” and canceled all schedules to care for the collapsed dancer. You can read more about the incident below.

The Most Intense K-Pop Show Ever — Backdancer Has Seizure On Stage