fromis_9's Lee Chae-young addresses e-cigarette controversy: 'I've never smoked'

Lee Chae-young, a member of the group fromis_9, has finally addressed the smoking rumors that have followed her for three years. While she was misidentified as a smoker after an e-cigarette appeared in a photo she posted on SNS, she candidly expressed her frustration, stating that she has never actually smoked. The incident serves as a prime example of how a single image can be consumed as "fact" in the digital age, illustrating how celebrity images are shaped and consumed online.

During the "Vote for Your Daughter-in-Law" episode of the YouTube channel Imman Yeolmyeon, released on the 23rd, Lee appeared and directly addressed the e-cigarette controversy that had been trailing her.

During the broadcast, Lee drew a clear line, stating, "I am a non-smoker," and emphasized, "Even now, if you search my name, 'cigarette' comes up as a related search term. But I have never smoked even once truly."

The controversy dates back to 2023. At the time, Lee posted a photo of her daily life on her official SNS, but an e-cigarette device was captured in the corner of the frame. She deleted the post immediately, but the captured image spread rapidly through online communities and SNS, leading many to conclude she was a smoker.

Lee explained the situation, saying, "I posted the photo, and there was an e-cigarette a little distance away from me. I didn't even know it was an e-cigarette at the time."

She added with a smile, "Many people reacted without a shred of doubt, saying, 'It would be more disappointing if you didn't smoke,'" but she confessed that the unexpected misunderstanding persisted for a long time.

In particular, she drew laughter by revealing that she even received an unexpected proposal from an e-cigarette brand following the controversy.

Lee recalled, "An e-cigarette company contacted me. They said they would sponsor me for life. So, I politely told them, 'I don't smoke.'"

Upon hearing this, comedian Lee Yong-jin joked, "It's funny that people thought, 'You look like you would smoke.' Weren't you literally the 'definitive smoker type'?" filling the studio with laughter.

However, Lee revealed her honest feelings, saying, "Actually, that was the most unfair part."

She added, "You would think someone might doubt me, asking, 'How could she smoke?' but no one did. Perhaps because my voice is somewhat husky, everyone seemed to naturally assume I was a smoker."

This clarification highlights how online public opinion is formed and spread around celebrities. On digital platforms, a single photo or a short video can be rapidly reproduced out of context, causing a specific image to become fixed regardless of the truth. This so-called "Digital Stigma," where impressions formed through search terms, posts, and online communities do not easily disappear, is emerging as a significant challenge for the image management of public figures.

While Lee used laughter to resolve the long-standing misunderstanding, she also highlighted the need for caution regarding an online culture where unverified speculation is consumed as fact. As she continues her musical activities and variety show appearances, she continues to win over viewers with her characteristic honesty and wit.