Lee Naeun’s return to the small screen marks a significant moment in her career, signaling both a comeback and a test of public sentiment. With the announcement of her casting in ENA’s new action-thriller drama The Defects, the former idol is stepping into her first major role since her prolonged hiatus. Scheduled to premiere on July 21, 2025, the series offers Naeun a chance to reestablish herself in the industry, years after stepping away from the spotlight.
Her return, however, comes with the weight of her past. In 2020, Naeun was at the center of a widely discussed controversy involving allegations of bullying within APRIL, the girl group she was once a part of. The claims surfaced after former member Lee Hyunjoo’s brother publicly accused other members—including Naeun—of mistreatment that allegedly led to Hyunjoo’s departure. Additional anonymous posts at the time further fueled the online uproar. Although DSP Media denied the accusations and Naeun issued a personal statement defending herself, public opinion remained divided. With mounting pressure and media scrutiny, she withdrew from all scheduled appearances, and APRIL ultimately disbanded in 2022.
Now, three years later, Naeun is re-entering the entertainment scene with a more serious and emotionally demanding role. In The Defects, she portrays Somi, one of several children who survive a brutal betrayal by their adoptive families. Unlike the vibrant, lighthearted characters she previously played, Somi is a figure shaped by loss, resilience, and inner strength. Her character finds solace in her relationship with Ahyeon, the group’s fierce and protective leader, played by Won Jin Ah. For Naeun, this role could mark a new chapter in her acting career—one that distances her from her idol past and aligns her with more complex storytelling.
The public response to her casting has been swift and mixed. While a number of viewers are curious to see her performance in a darker, grittier genre, others have expressed discomfort at her reappearance, especially given that the bullying controversy never saw a definitive resolution. For some, her new role is a chance to evaluate her purely on her acting ability. For others, it reopens conversations about accountability and whether artists who’ve faced serious accusations should return without public closure.
Despite the lingering skepticism, Naeun’s return is poised to be closely watched. The Defects doesn’t just represent a comeback project—it’s also a litmus test for how far the industry and audiences are willing to accept her again. Whether she succeeds in winning over critics or faces renewed backlash, her performance in this drama is likely to be one of the most talked-about elements of the upcoming TV season.
