Taetiseo members cry over Jessica

Members of Taetiseo, a spinoff ofGirls' Generation, reportedly "burst into tears" during a fan meeting Wednesday in Seoul, speaking in public for the first time aboutJessica's departure from the K-pop group, according to local media.

Toward the end of the private fan meeting held at Lotte Department Store's Cheongryangri branch in Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, all three members of Taetiseo - Taeyeon, Tiffany andSeohyun- reportedly cried after Taeyeon opened up about the former group member.

"All I thought about from the beginning was protectingGirls' Generation", said Taeyeon, 25, according to local media, which quoted online posts written by fans who attended the event.

"I'm sorry. Please trust us once more", said the singer, who is also the leader of the now eight-member band.

Upon hearing this, the rest of the subgroup shed tears as well, followed by fans in the crowd, media reports indicated.

The incident marks the first timeGirls' Generationmembers have told the public how they felt about the group's reshuffle after their agency, SM Entertainment, announced through a press release on Tuesday thatJessicawill no longer be in the band.

The agency cited difficulties fixing the group's schedule after the former member launched a fashion brand in August and added that she approached the company earlier this year, saying she would voluntarily leave after releasing one last album.

Jessica, on the other hand, issued a personal statement on Wednesday, in which she stated that she was ousted by SM and the other group members.

By Lee Sung-eun