Former Idol Speaks Up About W Korea’s “Hurtful” Event As Breast Cancer Patient’s Family
In her latest Instagram update, former AOA member Kwon Mina called out W Korea and its controversial breast cancer awareness event-gone-wrong.
On October 19, 2025 (KST), the idol—who has been communicating with her fans via a new social media account @new.kma—shared that her father and older sister both battled cancer, and therefore expressed discomfort with how the event was held.
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In fact, Kwon Mina revealed that her older sister has been “living in fear for years after being diagnosed with breast cancer,” and criticized the “glamorous, stylish, and cheerful photos” from the event.
“My father passed away from pancreatic cancer, and my older sister has been living in constant fear for years because of breast cancer. It was discovered at stage three, so she had to undergo major surgery to remove a large area, lost all her hair during chemotherapy, gained weight from the side effects… and the treatment costs were enormous.
Pancreatic cancer is extremely difficult to treat unless a miracle happens, but on the other hand, I think there are still people who believe breast cancer can be treated easily if it’s caught early. Even though I’m not the one suffering from it, just watching from the side has been so painful, heartbreaking, and hard.
If they had truly cared about breast cancer patients, thought about them, and considered the feelings of their families, I don’t think such a drinking party would ever have been held.
I believe that doing good by donating—no matter the amount—is admirable in itself. But to see the word breast cancer attached to such glamorous, stylish, and cheerful photos… I don’t know, it made me feel a lot of things. The moment I saw it, I felt uncomfortable, and honestly, it hurt.
Who am I to say anything, but please understand that cancer patients and their families are easily hurt, even by the smallest things.”
— Kwon Mina
Kwon Mina’s fans praised her for speaking up about the event:
- “Noona, we’ll always support you without change. Love you!”
- “You’re always such a righteous and amazing person, unnie. Always supporting you.”
- “Finally, someone with a sense of discernment spoke up! It’s such a relief that a former idol reacted to this ridiculous party… Thank you, Mina.”
- “I feel the same. Cancer is not something people should take lightly. I love you, Mina.”
- “You’re right, unnie! Rather than being a breast cancer awareness event, it felt more like a party for wealthy idols. They didn’t even raise $700,000 in 20 years… And the people who attended the event were all millionaires. Some of those idols were ones I really respected and looked up to—it’s disappointing. Still, I’m proud that you, Mina unnie, spoke up and called out the inappropriate behavior of everyone who attended.”
- “You are very right, we love you so much.”
- “Agreed.”
Following the massive backlash it drew with the “2025 Love Your W” party, the magazine finally admitted its shortcomings and apologized, removing all of its related content from its social media platforms and its official website.
W Korea Finally Folds, Apologizes For Hosting Scandalous “Breast Cancer Party”
The public, however, remains unimpressed by the series of actions taken by W Korea in the days leading up to the apology.
Read more about Kwon Mina’s latest here:
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