A Japanese restaurant owner, who went viral for her striking resemblance to NewJeans’ Minji, is embroiled in controversy after reportedly disappearing to pursue a career in the Korean entertainment industry.

On August 6, the Chinese restaurant 'Chuuka Ryouri Ton Ton' in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, run by 21-year-old Ikeda Honoka, posted a detailed announcement in Korean on its official Instagram. The announcement revealed that Honoka had left the restaurant as of July 24.

Honoka became well-known online due to her resemblance to NewJeans' Minji and for managing the restaurant she inherited from her grandfather in 2020. Her popularity surged after she was featured in a YouTube channel introducing Japanese restaurants, earning her the nickname “Minji look-alike.”

However, the announcement from Chuuka Ryouri Ton Ton stated that Honoka had abruptly left the restaurant. Honoka had previously explained in an Instagram story that she had to leave the restaurant due to personal reasons, expressing regret and apologizing to her employees for the inconvenience.

The restaurant's announcement claimed that Honoka’s dream of becoming an announcer had been thwarted, leading to a series of lies and betrayals, which eventually resulted in her being disowned by her parents. It also mentioned that an agency wanted to promote Honoka in Korea and that she needed a passport for a major event scheduled on the 28th. The restaurant expressed concerns about not being able to contact Honoka since July 24, noting that the messages received did not match Honoka’s usual communication style.

While the restaurant noted that Honoka contacted her parents on July 29 from an unofficial number, asking for a passport and expressing gratitude for raising her, Honoka has directly countered the restaurant’s claims. She posted a statement on Instagram asserting that she was suddenly fired from her manager position on July 24 despite diligently working and that she did not leave of her own volition.

Honoka emphasized that she still values her grandfather’s legacy and the restaurant. She clarified that she had communicated her plans regarding her activities in Korea to her parents and had coordinated her work schedule accordingly, but she could not proceed due to health issues. She expressed deep regret for any misunderstandings and asked for mutual understanding to avoid further issues.

In 2020, Honoka took over the Chinese restaurant in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, following her grandfather’s passing. She gained attention for her beauty and resemblance to Minji from NewJeans, increasing the restaurant's popularity. However, the sudden announcement of her departure and the ensuing controversy over her potential debut in Korea have left many questions unanswered.

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