Girls’ Generation Taeyeon is caught in a local festival controversy over a booking mix-up.
The Jangsu Hanwoo and Apple Festival in Jangsu County, Jeonbuk, South Korea, listed Taeyeon as a performer on their promotional material. This sparked massive online attention due to her star power.
Screenshots shared by netizens showed Jangsu County confirming Taeyeon was booked. But on July 14, SM Entertainment denied contacting her or scheduling any performance.
It was revealed the festival actually booked Kim Taeyeon, a 12-year-old child prodigy and Miss Trot 2 standout, not Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon.
Jangsu County officials claimed they did book the idol Taeyeon but denied arranging anything with Kim Taeyeon.
A source close to Kim Taeyeon told OSEN on July 15 that the young singer was heartbroken by the situation. Her agency, K Tigers Entertainment, confirmed Jangsu County had formally reached out and confirmed Kim Taeyeon’s appearance before wiping her from the lineup without apology.
The insider said:
"We are very disappointed. Neither the agency nor Jangsu County has issued a single apology to this underage artist, despite the hurt caused. All we got from the agency on the first day of the controversy was a vague explanation saying there had been ‘a mix-up.’"
The source also questioned how Jangsu County expected the public to believe they booked a top-tier star like Girls’ Generation Taeyeon, which would be financially and logistically impossible for a small festival.
"Adults might brush this off and say, ‘These things happen.’ But for a young artist going through such an emotionally delicate time, the scars can run deep. That’s what we’re most worried about. We plan to be extremely careful in managing and protecting the artist moving forward."
Kim Taeyeon, born in 2012, is known for pansori and folk music training since age four. She gained national fame finishing fourth on TV Chosun’s Miss Trot 2.
This controversy remains centered on the disrespect shown to both the veteran idol and the young prodigy. The emotional toll on Kim Taeyeon is a key concern as the situation develops.
