Lee Na Eun, a former member of the group April who took a hiatus due to allegations of bullying, is set to return with The Defects.
Na Eun’s agency, Namoo Actors, announced her casting in The Defects.
The Defects, a new ENA Monday-Tuesday drama premiering at 10 PM (KST) on July 21, is an action thriller that follows the harrowing survival and revenge of children who narrowly escape death after being abandoned by their adoptive parents. The series is based on a popular Kakao Webtoon of the same name, which clinched the Grand Creative Award at the International Content Market SPP 2017 and amassed over 51 million views.
Na Eun takes on the role of Somi, one of the abandoned children. She portrays a character brimming with resilient energy despite her traumatic past, alongside Ah Hyeon (played by Won Jin Ah), who serves as the group’s leader. This marks Na Eun’s first venture into the action thriller genre, generating buzz as she departs from her usual youth-oriented roles.
Previously, in 2020, April faced controversy when former member Lee Hyun Joo alleged bullying within the group.
At the time, April members denied these claims. Prosecutors later decided not to pursue charges against Lee Hyun Joo’s brother and a classmate, who had been accused by DSP Media, April’s management agency.
In the wake of the controversy, Na Eun suspended her activities, and April ultimately disbanded in January 2022. Recently, Na Eun has returned to social media.
The Defects featuring Na Eun is set to premiere on July 21 on ENA and will also be available exclusively on the streaming platform TVING.
