On October 18, a post by an online user claiming to have worked for a company operated by Aijing’s parents began circulating widely on Chinese social media. The user alleged that they had asked the company for overdue wages to cover their father’s funeral expenses but received only 1,000 yuan (approximately 200,000 won).
“My father was critically ill at the time and eventually passed away. My older sister had quit her job to take care of him, so I was the only person in our family earning an income,” the user wrote. “I needed money for my father’s funeral, so I asked the company for payment, but they told me they didn’t have a single penny to give me.”
The user continued, “After I even called them directly, the only amount I received was a mere 1,000 yuan. I had worked diligently for years, including overtime, yet when I was going through such a devastating experience as losing my father, that was all they gave me. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
Previously, on October 13, Chinese media outlets reported allegations that an education company based in Beijing and operated by Aijing’s parents had failed to pay employees their wages. According to reports citing a local corporate information platform, enforcement cases involving approximately 3.45 million yuan in total were reportedly associated with the company and Aijing’s parents.
As the controversy escalated, Aijing’s mother addressed the issue on social media on October 14. She acknowledged the unpaid wages and apologized, explaining that the financial condition of an education-related business she had previously operated had deteriorated rapidly, resulting in debt disputes. She said discussions were underway with the relevant parties to find a resolution. However, she emphasized that the responsibility belonged to the parents, stating that they were the ones who had to resolve the matter, and insisted that her daughter had no connection to the business or the disputes.
Despite the apology, criticism continued in China. On October 17, a hashtag essentially asking whether employees’ hard-earned money had been used to support Aijing’s career as a star reportedly topped Weibo’s trending search rankings.
Chinese online outlet Kankan News pointed out on October 16 that wage arrears had allegedly already occurred at Aijing’s mother’s company when Aijing won a dance competition in 2024. The outlet also reported that promises to pay employees in installments had allegedly not been fulfilled when Aijing participated in a world dance competition in the United States in 2025. Chinese newspaper Yangcheng Evening News likewise called for actual repayment, commenting, “No matter how well-written an apology is, nothing is better than paying back the money.”
Past photos of Aijing on overseas trips have also been shared on Chinese social media, drawing further criticism. One online user described a photo of Aijing relaxing with companions as having been taken during a trip to Thailand and criticized the situation, saying, “They have money to enjoy a trip to Thailand but won’t pay their employees’ wages.” However, the time and location at which the photo was taken have not been independently confirmed.
Meanwhile, A2O LITE, whose 13-year-old member Aijing is at the center of the controversy, debuted on October 13 with its first single, “NEON.” The song reportedly reached No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart at 11 p.m. on October 14.
Sources: Nate