[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] The mother of Ai Zhing (13), a Chinese member of the rookie girl group A2O Light, has apologized for the controversy surrounding unpaid employee wages.

In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on the 14th, Ai Qing’s mother explained that a debt dispute arose after the education-related business she previously operated fell into financial difficulties.
She said, “It is a mistake I must face and acknowledge that there were amounts that were not paid on time,” adding, “I deeply apologize to everyone who has been harmed by this.”
She continued, “I am currently contacting each of the parties involved one by one to discuss solutions,” and added, “I will not shirk my responsibility and will see this through to the end until all issues are resolved.”
He emphasized, “The responsibility for this incident lies with my parents, and it is an issue they must resolve appropriately,” adding, “My child has absolutely no connection to the business I operated in the past or the related disputes.”
Previously, allegations surfaced in China that the educational company operated by Ai Qing’s parents in Beijing had failed to pay employees their wages on time.
A2O Light is a group launched by singer-turned-producer Lee Soo-man, founder of SM Entertainment (SM), through his new agency, A2O Entertainment. They made their debut in the music industry on the 13th with their debut song “NEON.” “NEON,” produced in collaboration with former SM producer Yoo Young-jin, has taken the music scene by storm, reaching No. 1 on Melon’s Top 100 chart.