The K-Pop and entertainment sphere is currently caught in a massive whirlwind of drama, dealing with everything from sudden fan boycotts to explosive personal confessions from former idols. Two major stories have completely taken over social media feeds: T.O.P facing a devastating fan backlash that forced the cancellation of his solo exhibition right after confirming his relationship with actress Nana, and former U-KISS member Eli stepping forward to passionately defend himself against heavy public criticism regarding his monthly child support payments. Here is the complete breakdown of everything going down in the industry right now.

T.O.P and Nana’s Relationship Fallout: Fan Exhibition Halted After Mass Cancellations

When major K-Pop stars step out of the shadows, the ripple effects can drastically impact their fandoms—a reality that singer and actor T.O.P recently experienced firsthand. His fan page, CHOIDOT, officially announced via social media that the OFF GRID: NEW GROUND photo exhibition—originally scheduled for a two-day run from October 31 to November 1—had to be completely canceled.

The exhibition was conceptualized as an immersive tribute to T.O.P’s first solo full-length album, Another Dimension, featuring 11 distinct spaces reinterpreting each track of the album alongside interactive fan programs. Initially scaled down to accommodate 300 participants over two days based on his touring schedule and changing conditions, the event quickly ran into trouble once ticket reservations officially opened. Actual applications stagnated at a meager 25% of the projected target.

Despite the low numbers, the fan page initially intended to absorb the financial hit and honor their commitment to those who had already booked their spots. However, the situation deteriorated rapidly following a wave of reservation cancellations that dropped expected attendance down to an unviable 10% to 15% of the original daily goal. Recognizing that the exhibition could no longer operate in its intended form—and acting quickly to minimize travel and accommodation inconveniences for overseas fans planning to visit Korea—the organizers made the heavy-hearted decision to pull the plug, promising full refunds to all ticket holders.

〈OFF GRID : NEW GROUND〉 Exhibition Cancellation & Ticket Refund Notice

Hello, this is CHOIDOT.

We regret to inform you that 〈OFF GRID : NEW GROUND〉, originally scheduled to take place from October 31 (Sat) to November 1 (Sun), has been canceled.

Each year, when planning our events, we estimate attendance based on the actual turnout from our previous events and arrange the venue and operations accordingly.

This year in particular, considering that the tour schedule is still ongoing and that fans may have various circumstances to take into account, we planned the exhibition on a smaller scale than in previous years. The venue and operations were arranged for a total capacity of 300 visitors over two days, with five sessions per day and 30 people per session.

However, since reservations opened, the actual number of reservations has remained at approximately 25% of our initial estimate. With attendance significantly lower than anticipated, we have spent a great deal of time considering whether and how we could proceed with the exhibition.

As we had already signed the venue rental agreement and paid the deposit ourselves, the financial burden was not insignificant. Nevertheless, even if it meant taking on additional costs and losses, we wanted to keep our promise to those who had made reservations, and we therefore intended to proceed with the exhibition as scheduled.

However, from yesterday through today, we have continued to receive cancellation requests from existing reservation holders. As a result, the expected attendance has now fallen to approximately 10–15% of the number of visitors we had originally planned for each day.

We explored every possible option in the hope of proceeding with the exhibition. Unfortunately, with the current number of participants, we concluded that it would be difficult to operate the exhibition properly in the form and scale we had originally planned and prepared. After much consideration, we have therefore made the difficult decision to cancel the exhibition.

We are especially aware that many overseas fans were planning to travel to Korea for this exhibition. Rather than delaying the decision, we felt that reaching a conclusion and informing everyone as quickly as possible would help minimize any further inconvenience or losses related to flights, accommodations, and other travel arrangements. We sincerely ask for your understanding as we share this cancellation notice before any more time passes.

As this is an event we have been preparing for over a long period of time, this decision is deeply disappointing and heartbreaking for us as well. Above all, we sincerely apologize to everyone who made a reservation, waited for the exhibition, and looked forward to attending.

All admission fees paid by existing reservation holders will be fully refunded. Details regarding the refund process and schedule will be provided individually.

We sincerely thank everyone who waited for and showed interest in this exhibition, as well as everyone who made a reservation to join us.

Once again, we are truly sorry that we are unable to repay your anticipation and support with the exhibition as planned.

CHOIDOT

— CHOISEUNGHYUN.COM (@choidot) October 4, 2026

What turned this business update into a massive cultural talking point was the stark timing of the cancellation: it arrived hot on the heels of T.O.P and Nana publicly acknowledging their romantic relationship on October 2nd. The couple reportedly grew close after collaborating on the music video for T.O.P’s solo track “Completely Crazy!” back in January, officially evolving into a couple around June. While both of their respective agencies confirmed they are in a positive relationship, and Nana candidly asked fans on a communication platform to look upon them warmly despite the sudden news, a noticeable segment of the fandom reacted with stark disappointment, culminating in the sudden collapse of ticket sales.

Eli Breaks His Silence: Former U-KISS Star Fires Back Over Child Support Controversy

Meanwhile, another K-Pop veteran found himself at the center of intense public scrutiny, prompting a rare and emotional public defense. Eli, formerly of U-KISS, took to social media to address a wave of harsh online comments attacking his character and calling him cheap over the public disclosure of his ₩850,000 KRW (approximately $633 USD) monthly child support payments to his ex-wife, Ji Yeon Soo.

Eli confessed that while he typically avoids addressing personal matters publicly, the mounting accusations labeling him a “trash human being” forced him to break his silence and reveal the complex history behind the figures. According to Eli, he never wanted to place a rigid price tag on his son Min Soo’s well-being during their divorce proceedings. Instead of a fixed monthly sum, his initial approach was to cover expenses directly as they arose—paying for school supplies, family meals, and other day-to-day needs on demand.

To illustrate his financial dedication during a vulnerable period, Eli revealed that between November 2020 and May 2022, he voluntarily sent a total of ₩44,378,175 (roughly $33,000 USD). He admitted that much of this money came from his limited personal savings and minimum-wage earnings during the pandemic, pushing him dangerously close to the brink of debt. He expressed deep hurt upon later seeing himself portrayed on television broadcasts as a deadbeat father who refused to pay child support, noting that even people he had previously worked with sided against him publicly.

Eli explained that the ₩850,000 KRW monthly amount currently in place stems directly from the realities of that difficult transitional period. While acknowledging that hearing the number without its context might lead people to quick judgments, he made it clear he refuses to apologize for the circumstances that shaped the decision. Stressing that he continues to send financial support during holidays and whenever he visits his son, Eli concluded that his child’s well-being matters far more than winning internet arguments, expressing his faith that the full truth will eventually come to light.

Source: Compiled from various sources