Video Scandal Casts Cloud Over Ivy's Schedule

Singer Ivy is going through a rough patch after the arrest of a man named Yu (31) last week who had attempted to blackmail her with a revealing video clip showing him with the K-pop star. "It is possible that such video clips exist since Ivy slept over at Yu's place quite often, but none were shot with her consent," Ivy publicist Fantom Entertainment said Friday. Yu and Ivy had been in a romantic relationship for the past two years.

Ivy is this year's undisputed no.1, rising to the top with her second album "Sonata of Temptation" released early this year and is also busy shooting commercials for everything from cosmetics to drinks. "The incident has made it impossible for Ivy to go on with her public appearances or even go for a simple walk outside," says her agency. That requires a rethink of her scheduled appearance at various end-of-the-year events and commercial shoots. They could include the 2007 Mnet KM Music Festival on Nov. 17 at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium.

Ivy is nominated in four award categories -- best female singer, best dance music, best music, and best singer. The ongoing online vote shows Ivy in the lead followed by Lee Hyo-lee; but if worse comes to worst, the awards may have to go on without her.

Companies that chose Ivy as their commercial model are also casting a nervous eye on the development. Sports brand Reebok, which uses Ivy along with global stars like Scarlett Johansson finds itself in an awkward situation. Local security solution firm Solmaze had cast Ivy in a teaser video for the new security program "PassMaze" but now worries that the scandal will have negative consequences for the firm's image.

It remains to be seen how the singer, who had consistently built her image as bright and innocent woman, will overcome the embarrassment and return to the public.