February 9, 2022

TREASURE Teaser: Individual video teasers of 16 seconds for each member were released, and as expected, Junkyu had the highest views. Up until their last album, Haruto seemed to be the clear top member in popularity, but there seems to have been some shift within the fandom. The title track is called “Jikjin” (Straight), but the title itself doesn’t seem particularly compelling. They also released something called a “documentary teaser.” Surprisingly, it’s quite outdated in style. They play the beat of the new song and show the album preparation process in a “star documentary” format. Choi Hyun-suk does the narration, and it’s so old-fashioned and cheesy it feels like Yang Hyun-suk could have written the script. The commentary seems more fitting for a mass-produced album introduction video, and the quality is shockingly low considering this was released on an official channel during the critical period for generating excitement pre-release. It’s understandable that the team, after such a long comeback, might feel pressured to try something different, but they seem to be missing the mark. The comeback is set for the 15th, and their first concert is scheduled for April.

April 6, 2022

LE SSERAFIM Issue:

With Sakura’s involvement, the group quickly garnered significant attention, topping searches on Weibo and Yahoo Japan. The news of Sakura debuting under HYBE alone was a major headline, and with excellent makeup that enhances her charm while creating a unique atmosphere, reactions have been very positive, not only towards Sakura but other members as well. However, some criticized the “motorcycle” and narration in Sakura’s video as outdated, and complaints arose over the tennis-themed concept photos of Garam and Eunchae. Many couldn’t see the relevance of the tennis rackets or the high heels, with some even suggesting the poses appeared overly suggestive. While these complaints focus on the tennis rackets, there’s concern that this perception could overlap with Garam’s controversies, creating additional risk.

When Garam was first introduced, she received praise for her beauty, drawing comparisons to actresses Go Youn-jung and Go Min-si. However, a controversy regarding her past arose the following day, creating significant negative buzz. Although there’s no conclusive proof of school violence, rumors suggesting she was dismissed from Starship due to “attitude problems” have added fuel to the fire. The most damaging accusation involves a photo with “sex” written on a chalkboard, raising concerns about her being labeled with disparaging nicknames even if the rumors are resolved.

The rumors’ weaknesses have brought back memories of the chaos before aespa’s debut, which ultimately boosted their popularity. There’s also an image circulating with “defeating IVE” written on a chalkboard, which has naturally sparked rivalry talk between IVE and LE SSERAFIM. This competition could actually benefit LE SSERAFIM as a newcomer, setting a clear rivalry against IVE’s Wonyoung and Yujin with their own stars, Sakura and Chaewon. Interestingly, the chalkboard photo was written before Garam transferred schools, making her unrelated to it. If rumors about Garam being rejected from IVE’s lineup prove false, it could even lead to playful moments on shows like Weekly Idol, covering IVE’s songs to turn the tables on rumor spreaders. Competing with Wonyoung on Music Bank could be a good way to leverage Garam’s image, and the focus drifting away from Seol Yoon would actually be a bonus.

The most frustrating part of the controversy is the internal leak issue. Since before the teasers began, there were reports of someone leaking the team’s lineup and timeline. In Garam’s case, they exposed hints about her “troubled past,” indirectly suggesting her former company was aware of her behavior issues. This wasn’t based on official documents, likely just rumors. Considering how restricted access to interviews with individual members would be, they should try to locate the source.

June 8, 2022

aespa Giselle: There seems to have been an overhaul in monitoring systems, with SM reacting more directly. The recent reaction to Giselle has been particularly negative, so her anonymous 10-million-won donation to an animal welfare group feels rather convenient, especially since it’s impossible to stay fully anonymous at that donation amount. SM appears to be scrambling to control the narrative, but this could signal a shift in their typical approach.

July 13, 2022

The Manager: The episode showcased Karina working out, and her statement about eating up to three packets of ramen sparked criticism over the “strange” script. Additionally, scenes of her awkwardly making a fruit punch alone felt scripted. There was also a moment where a staff member brings up Giselle’s animal welfare donation, which felt outdated and forced.

After the show aired, rumors circulated about Winter frequently texting off-camera, leading some to speculate she may have been in contact with a boyfriend. She’s drawn comparisons to popular SM male idols, with fans noticing similarities to Baekhyun, D.O., and Jaehyun in terms of fan loyalty.

July 27 2022

*Next week, due to the report team members being on vacation, there will be a one-week break.

NewJeans:

With the emergence of NewJeans, there’s been a noticeable surge in criticism of LE SSERAFIM. It seems that fans wanted to praise NewJeans, couldn’t bring themselves to criticize SM, and instead directed their dissatisfaction at LE SSERAFIM. The incident with Garam seems to have made it easier for fans to criticize LE SSERAFIM. However, fans’ strong complaints have helped smooth things over. Through this series of events, it seems LE SSERAFIM’s core fans are even more motivated to support the group.

While NewJeans embodies a sophisticated vibe, LE SSERAFIM, by contrast, maintains a fierce, determined energy, which could actually help them carve out a unique space. Other groups seem to be struggling with the impact of NewJeans’ debut, but since LE SSERAFIM’s target audience doesn’t overlap much, they appear unfazed, which could work in their favor. The core of fandom is supporting hardworking girls, and if LE SSERAFIM can keep up a confident presence, they have the potential to capture both pop appeal and core fans simultaneously.

August 16, 2023

SEVENTEEN:

Most fans still want to continue supporting SEVENTEEN. Given how important membership is to the group’s value, there isn’t a strong desire for something as drastic as Joshua leaving. Still, the incident has clearly hurt fans, and they need a “reason” to help them move on.

In Japan, where a tour is approaching, Joshua’s solo merchandise isn’t selling out, signaling discontent. Fans in Japan, who’ve seen Joshua paired frequently with Jeonghan, may need reassurances. Thus, Seungkwan stepping up seems more crucial than ever. The pairing of Yoon and Boo has been gaining popularity, and if they can be showcased in Japan, it could help. Fans who forgave Joshua remember how he looked after Seungkwan in In the SOOP, which reinforces his importance within the group. Seungkwan’s recent posts on Weverse have noticeably improved fan morale.

When the fan community was cold due to the Joshua issue, Mingyu’s Weverse live brought fans back to talking about SEVENTEEN. While it’s unclear if this was intentional or natural, it helped ease fans’ hurt. Some fans worried Joshua was living with a girlfriend, but during Mingyu’s live, he casually showed Wonwoo next to him, reassuring fans of their shared living arrangements. While it appears as if the “Minwon couple” is trending, it’s more about fans wanting to believe in the group’s cohesion.

August 30, 2023

RIIZE pre-debut:

Their Inkigayo performance was effectively their debut stage, revealing that the teaser photos were even better than expected. Wonbin, who seemed different in profile photos, seems to wear beanies constantly for a reason. While he has good features, they don’t always harmonize well, making his face dependent on styling. Without the beanie, his proportions are unexpectedly off for a full center role.

Current fan cam views rank Wonbin and Anton highest, with the two drawing all the core interest while others serve as backup. Anton, though tall, struggles with dancing, raising questions about whether his challenges can be addressed through more practice. Meanwhile, Seunghan, who transitioned from the SM Rookies to this team, recently had photos surface where he’s seen with his girlfriend, even showing them at what appears to be a hotel. The backlash wasn’t strong, possibly due to a coordinated downplaying of the issue, especially on Instiz, where users framed him as a “victim” of leaked photos.

In the community, there’s a perception that certain entrenched groups believe they can steer public opinion without concern. While this approach may not impact key issues, it can provoke discord among fans of the targeted groups, emphasizing the need for some form of resolution. Recently, it was announced that Seunghan would not attend the Inkigayo pre-recording due to illness. This seems like an attempt to garner sympathy within the fandom and buy some time. They stated that he’s too ill to perform right before a comeback, which raises additional concerns.

Since the team’s fanbase mainly consists of loyal SM fans, visible issues like this could mark Seunghan as a “problematic” member within the fanbase, subjecting him to ongoing exclusion and alienation. It’s uncertain whether he can withstand this treatment, especially as SM’s emotional support appears limited. At the Inkigayo recording, Sohee sang “If It Were Me” a cappella to promote her vocal role, but reactions noted her singing was only at a “karaoke brag” level. Given aespa’s initial challenges, Winter’s strong vocals helped establish their position, so the perception that SM’s new group lacks strong vocals seems more pronounced. Normally, SM rookies wouldn’t face such harsh feedback, but with NCT’s lukewarm reception, their fanbase seems unable to contain their criticism of RIIZE.

August 31, 2022

IVE’s Jang Wonyoung:

Rumors about Jang Wonyoung being Chinese have brought to light that anti-fans’ disdain largely stems from anti-Chinese sentiment. This has ironically quieted the anti-fans as the “fun” is lost. Love Dive recently claimed the top spot on Circle Chart’s yearly rankings, surpassing Tomboy. With photocards becoming popular among elementary students, a significant fraud incident involving over 100 million KRW, allegedly involving foreigners, was reported in the fandom.

IVE achieved 920,000 album pre-orders, doubling expectations. The initial push was led by Jang Wonyoung’s Chinese fanbase, who continued supporting even after pre-orders began. IVE’s solid Chinese fanbase, established during IZ*ONE, has strengthened further with rumors of Wonyoung’s Chinese heritage. Besides the robust Chinese album support, IVE’s domestic digital charting remains strong, further enhancing their status as a “trending” group.

September 21, 2022

Jungkook attended IU’s concert two days in a row, sparking speculation. Previously, fans tried to link Jungkook with IU, especially on DC Inside forums, but this time reactions were unexpectedly quiet. Perhaps V’s recent dating rumor has inadvertently given other members more freedom in their private lives, as people are less interested in unsubstantiated speculations.

September 28, 2022

IVE Update:

IVE appeared at multiple university festivals, including Yonsei University’s Akaraka, but didn’t dominate headlines as much as Tomboy by (G)I-DLE did earlier in the year. Community skepticism about IVE’s success may have contributed to their less dominant presence, especially since NewJeans and LE SSERAFIM also performed at Akaraka, dividing attention.

Fan cam channels, such as Yonsei Milk, highlighted that NewJeans reached 170,000 views, LE SSERAFIM 510,000, and IVE 150,000 views. This discrepancy, given IVE’s high album sales, fueled suspicions about the group’s popularity. Additionally, ongoing lip-syncing debates have somewhat undercut IVE’s festival buzz, as feedback suggested only An Yujin’s voice could be clearly heard.

K.Will has been making some radio appearances to promote his concert, where he briefly mentioned IVE. He shared that the company atmosphere felt somewhat uncertain before IVE’s success, but the group’s popularity has since brought a sense of relief. He noted that the pandemic had made things difficult for the entire entertainment industry, creating a sense of urgency. While his comments aren’t problematic, this kind of messaging may feel a bit dated, potentially affecting the team’s image. Also, while not openly visible, long-term fans of MONSTA X and WJSN might feel some resentment, and this could pose risks in the long run.

Given IVE’s rapid rise in popularity, some people continue to question their success, and there are trolls who try to paint a negative image, especially focusing on Jang Wonyoung. Showing too much confidence could be risky, especially as some critics are now more focused on undermining her. Although Zico’s “New Thing” recently took the #1 spot on Melon, temporarily easing suspicions about IVE’s chart performance, an undercurrent of doubt remains. Fans have begun countering detractors by expressing frustration toward those “jealous” of IVE, even as skepticism quietly persists. In response, there’s been a growing trend on forums suggesting that IVE photocards are popular among elementary school students, traded like Pokémon cards. While younger fans may naturally be drawn to IVE, the claim that it’s a “huge trend” seems possibly driven by intentional viral marketing.

Recently, a post circulated on a parenting forum from a mother who bought an IVE album for her child, only for them to be teased by friends for having a “fake.” The timing of these stories raises suspicions, and considering STAYC, who actually has a well-known elementary school fanbase, using similar narratives to explain IVE’s popularity feels inadequate. Jang Wonyoung is currently in Paris for Fashion Week. As a star in her own right, her solo photos have been well-received, and there’s positive feedback on IVE’s improved styling since they switched makeup artists. However, videos from Paris highlight that there weren’t many fans present, fueling more doubts about her popularity. Since IVE is largely seen as “Jang Wonyoung and the others,” there’s a constant effort to validate her celebrity status.

October 5, 2022

IVE’s Jang Wonyoung:

The company’s rapid pace is beginning to backfire, as critics have shifted their focus to Wonyoung herself. With anti-fans unable to significantly sway public opinion about IVE’s performance, they’ve pivoted to targeting Wonyoung directly.

The “Anti-Fan Safehouse” forum seems to be lying low after HYBE’s recent legal action, yet anti-fans continue targeting Wonyoung, sparking concerns of an organized smear campaign. On DC Inside, longstanding rumors suggest Wonyoung is of Chinese descent, stoking anti-China sentiment and amplifying hostility toward IVE. They even refer to IVE with the slang “A-munhwa,” likely a twist on the word “multicultural.” A recent rumor circulating on the Anti-Fan Safehouse claims that IVE was originally a seven-member lineup, but Wonyoung allegedly opposed a debuting trainee named Park Sun, causing her removal. The theory implies that Wonyoung, rumored to be hiding her wealthy, Chinese identity, maneuvered her way into the group, displacing Park Sun, a genuine “chaebol heir.” The only supposed “evidence” for these claims is that the original concept supposedly had seven colors of the prism, which feels like a flimsy basis. Previously, they spread a rumor that Wonyoung was fixated on her “baby role,” leading her to mistreat and bully fellow member Leeseo; since that didn’t gain traction, they seem to have shifted tactics. The goal now seems to be to damage Wonyoung’s character in a way that impacts team cohesion, knowing her strengths and weaknesses are deeply interwoven with the group’s identity.

October 26, 2022

Next week’s update will be skipped due to an overseas trip.

J.Y. Park’s Worldwide Challenge: J.Y. Park is currently traveling the world for his “Groove Back” challenge, staging large-scale events in Barcelona, Bangkok, Sao Paulo, and LA. Even though it’s not an official release, he’s recruiting large crowds for this dance challenge. ITZY members joined the challenge in LA, where they were on tour. This appears to be a “challenge-for-challenge’s-sake,” with a global tour even though no song release is involved. The challenge is being co-hosted by Dot Taekyung, known for K-pop Random Play Dance events, making the entire setup feel almost like an attempt to replicate PSY’s viral success with “That That.”

BLACKPINK World Tour:

BLACKPINK has begun their North American tour, starting in Dallas this week. With minimal new content or publicity for the time being, their year-end performances are also likely impacted, though they are scheduled for the UK’s Hyde Park BST next July. Their Coachella appearance initially propelled them, so this new event could be a strategic move to bolster their European presence. Meanwhile, rumors surfaced of vote manipulation for the GMA Global Popularity Award, with most suspected votes going to BLACKPINK, potentially led by Lisa’s overseas fanbase. As MAMA Fan Choice voting opens, more voting-related issues are emerging, with competition between BLACKPINK and TWICE growing increasingly intense. This dynamic signals a new “golden age” for girl groups, with intense interest and competition across the board.

It seems like AKMU’s Lee Chanhyuk is using his solo activities to do things he couldn’t as part of the group, but it’s backfiring and he’s facing backlash. After improving his public image on I Live Alone, the media started painting a negative picture of him. His recent actions, like the silent interview on M Countdown and a head-shaving performance on Inkigayo, even led to him gifting his shaved hair to fans attending his public events.

IVE’s Jang Wonyoung:

Recent discussions revealed that a lot of her anti-fan sentiment stems from Sinophobia, leading to a controversy around her Chinese heritage. This seems to have taken the fun out of it for her detractors, who are now quieter. Her group has had significant success, with “Love Dive” topping the annual chart on Circle Chart, surpassing “Tomboy.” Collecting photocard (Poca) became a trend among elementary school students, but a large-scale scam involving international fans and losses of around 100 million won (approx. $75,000) was reported within the fandom.

December 14, 2022

NMIXX announced a major shock: member Jinni suddenly left the group without any prior indication. Despite her seven years as a trainee, no specific reason was given beyond “personal matters,” which led to widespread speculation. Some fans were especially confused, as NMIXX had just received an award at MAMA and the members had even hinted at future plans in their Bubble messages. Although members went quiet for a few days, it didn’t seem unusual given the end-of-year stage preparations. However, there were delays with scheduled content releases, adding to the sense that her exit was abrupt and unresolved.

Theories about Jinni’s departure range from alleged conflict with member Haewon, known for her leader-like personality, who was rumored to have made Jinni uncomfortable. Anti-fans of Haewon are now sharing clips of her supposedly directing Jinni, but such GIFs often circulate in idol culture and don’t usually escalate into major controversies. Nonetheless, perceived hierarchical issues among members could pose a long-term risk. Adding fuel to the fire, Haewon’s oversized hat at MAMA obstructed the view of some fans’ favorite members, further sparking frustration.

Another rumor involved a dating scandal supposedly connecting Jinni with a lesser-known member of the rookie group UNITE. Despite a lack of evidence, the claim speculated that Jinni left without farewells due to this alleged relationship. Many find this unlikely, arguing that boy group members have survived more serious scandals, making the strict stance on dating alone seem implausible.

In a turn of events, fan forum TalDeokRehab took an intense interest in NMIXX, especially on alleged actions of member Sullyoon. It was revealed that a well-known account had been her friend before debut, selling exclusive pictures, possibly provided by Sullyoon herself, with some Polaroids selling for as high as one million won. Additionally, Sullyoon allegedly managed a private account on Twitter to keep in touch with friends, subtly hinting at their friendship in official messages, which caused further suspicion.

One major concern is the claim that Sullyoon’s friend leaked part of the unreleased track “DICE” after hearing a demo. With puzzle pieces falling into place, it became hard for fans to dismiss the rumors entirely, as they felt betrayed by the member’s alleged lack of commitment to the team. Rumors of her disclosing Jinni’s private family matters and another member, Kyujin, struggling with the atmosphere, supposedly taking psychiatric medication, painted a disheartening picture. This situation has left both the members and the fandom facing significant emotional fallout.

There was a wave of revelations that intensified when it was claimed that Jinni, unable to endure Haewon’s nagging, chose to sleep on the living room sofa to avoid her roommate, Haewon. Many initially blamed Haewon as the root cause. However, Haewon’s fans defended her, suggesting that she became Jinni and Sullyoon’s roommate to monitor them closely, keeping the group together amidst recurring issues.

This situation highlights how unresolved internal conflicts can lead to innocent members facing undue backlash, further fueling conflicts between individual fanbases. It emphasizes the importance of a prompt official response when handling risks. If Jinni’s departure had been accompanied by a clear rationale, the situation might not have escalated to this extent. With all this, there’s uncertainty about whether any dating scandals may come to light, but it’s apparent the team’s atmosphere has suffered. Those who supported NMIXX, either out of initial investment or loyalty to JYP, may now find it difficult to publicly support the group. Accepting that the group returned with a song disliked even by the members themselves is painful for fans.

One of the most troubling elements of this story, assuming parts of it are true, is the claim that a fan of UNITE — from Brand New Boys — exposed members’ dating activities, submitting related photos to JYP, and potentially prompting the company to encourage their departure. Allegedly, a group of fans who noticed their favorite idols dating took action to end it, motivated by the fact that the other idol debuted with a larger company. The persistence displayed by both trainees and fans is setting an unsettling trend, raising the difficulty level for rookie group launches considerably.

Regarding other updates:

RIIZE New Single Teaser:

RIIZE is set to release a single on January 5 titled “LOVE 119,” with a retro K-pop vibe reminiscent of MC Mong. The intro of the song samples Lee Ji’s “Emergency Room.” While the song has been promoted through teasers and fan feedback suggests it’s average for a single release, combining guitar, saxophone, and drums raises questions about coherence. There has been speculation about a viral marketing strategy connected to Delightful Girl Choon-Hyang, as posts summarizing the entire show recently appeared across multiple communities. Although one user denied involvement in viral marketing, the sheer volume of simultaneous posts from mid-December has led to suspicions, possibly pointing to a marketing effort by SM, given their history with viral campaigns.

This single solidifies that RIIZE may not be a team primarily targeting teens, but rather aiming for nostalgia among older audiences familiar with early K-pop, perhaps those in their late twenties and above. HYBE labels seem to be positioning themselves to capture the teen and young adult demographics, particularly focusing on TOURS for teens and BORN X YOUNG for young adults. Ultimately, RIIZE’s primary competitor seems likely to be NCT 127, positioning HYBE to capitalize on this gap and refine their early-year strategy.

February 1, 2023

SEVENTEEN Jeonghan: The Saint Laurent fashion show became a major turning point for Jeonghan. Community responses specifically noted that he moved beyond the “pretty member” image, reaching an almost “Asian Timothée Chalamet” level. His demeanor at the event was more natural than expected. It would be great if they could find ways to leverage and extend this image, especially in Japan, as he continues to expand into more photoshoots. Interest in Jeonghan has visibly increased, with recent content about him even appearing in 탈덕수용소 (a YouTube channel that covers K-pop gossip) as a members-only video. Toward the end of the year, there were persistent attacks from people in online communities detailing and criticizing SEVENTEEN’s various issues, and it seems likely they compiled these narratives into that video. Some Twitter users have even mixed Jeonghan’s in-game character traits with his real-life persona, painting him as petty and selfish. What’s unsettling is that 탈덕수용소 conducted a poll asking about SEVENTEEN’s most popular members before releasing the video. Seeing that poll, I wondered what they were planning; it seems they wanted to gauge Jeonghan’s popularity before dropping the video about him.

Baby Monster Member Reveal: Following the release of monthly evaluation videos, individual member teasers have started appearing on Baby Monster’s account, each showcasing specific members.

Overseas K-pop fandom is naturally interested, so the views are quite high, but interest in local communities is much lower than expected. The channel has already surpassed 930,000 subscribers, and the first member introduction video has over 6 million views. : The first member introduced was Ruka from Japan, but her visual star quality seems quite lacking. The second member is Pharita from Thailand. They should have introduced a surefire idol type like Jennie right from the start, so the order of introductions seems puzzling. It feels as if they’re putting all their bets on the international fandom from the outset.

 : There’s also an issue with the videos themselves; it’s not like they’re unaware of the negative perception around Yang Hyun-suk, but he still appears excessively. Even though it’s not a debut showcase but a member briefing, his screen time and role seem disproportionately large. To emphasize a member’s dance skills, they highlight Lee Jung, but it just seems to reinforce the impression that Yang Hyun-suk is overly hands-on, which could suggest insecurity. Moreover, the video production feels outdated—the fonts, editing flow, and overall vibe feel like old SBS variety shows rather than the trendy, edgy feel they aim for. It seems like the production team is stuck in the past.

February 22, 2023

BabyMonster Member Reveal: Korean member Rora and Japanese member Asa were introduced. Asa was apparently cast in elementary school, and her natural Korean intonation and phrasing have become a topic, but she’s struggling to draw attention in other areas. While there’s some push around her as an elegant, wealthy-looking figure, NewJeans has set the standard so high in this domain that it has raised the bar significantly over the past year, making it harder to appeal solely with a “vibe.” Overall, the members have a natural image, but with no striking visuals, there’s little intrigue among communities regarding the team.

There’s a similar pattern to NMIXX, with speculation that Yang Hyun-suk’s opinions are overly prominent, perhaps for business reasons. It’s almost as if fatherhood has confused his standards on the girls’ visuals. The members’ visuals all seem to share a certain vibe, which feels intentional.

March 22, 2023

JYP Controversy: The Netflix series “In the Name of God” has increased public awareness of related risks around cults like JMS, and though it focuses on JMS, it also covers the Odaeyang case, featuring Yoo Byung-eun. Consequently, JYP’s evangelism activities are gaining attention. His YouTube channel, where he gives Bible lectures, is still active, with the most recent video posted about ten days ago. Some speculate he’s acting indifferently despite the heightened risk, but JYP itself doesn’t seem highly criticized within communities.

March 29, 2023

BLACKPINK Update: Their ticket power remains strong in Asia and Europe, although things are slower in Japan and North America. After their Kaohsiung concert, their music rebounded on Taiwanese charts, which, though a small market, still adds value to the team with packed concert footage. BLACKPINK, famous for being “famous,” benefits from showing top-star life in Asia, and an encore concert is set for July in France, where they’ve booked a stadium that holds 70,000 people.

June 14, 2023

ZEROBASEONE Airport Incident: Returning from a Jeju schedule, the airport scene was chaotic with fans and photographers, creating a stir. Survival show fandoms tend to be intense, with fans and profiteers crowding before interest wanes. Some members were rumored to look less appealing due to weight gain. The reality show “Camp ZEROBASEONE” recently premiered on Mnet, and their official channel has 560,000 subscribers with only 25 videos uploaded, suggesting slow activity.

June 21, 2023

ZB1’s teaser trailer video has been out for about a week and has roughly 1.28 million views. The narration, video composition, and editing all seem borrowed from various sources, yet the scenes don’t quite connect within the set concept. Fans tend to exaggerate their reactions, but ZB1 isn’t the only team debuting in July, raising questions about how long fans can deceive themselves. The group’s reality show is camping-themed, airing on Thursdays, with some pre-release clips already out. The show, however, is not very entertaining. Even with Wanna One, their reality show atmosphere was awkward and tense, and it seems this team is no exception. In contrast, groups with longer practice periods, like BONEX, maintain strong teamwork, which gives them a consistent edge.

July 26, 2023

There was a brief announcement: next week’s and the following reports will be skipped.

IVE’s company reputation had taken a hit externally, and internally there were complaints about neglecting member mental care and hate comment management, with resources allocated elsewhere. Starship boldly confronted this by tracking and suing the identity behind the “Withdrawal Shelter,” resulting in an incident where videos were suddenly deleted due to an alleged hacking during the investigation, yet they pledged to hold the responsible parties accountable. Other online rumors are also being pursued. Naturally, some questioned why HYBE hadn’t acted similarly, especially since BTS’s V was mentioned in the apology when “Withdrawal Shelter” was deleted. It seems Starship capitalized on this unsettled situation to change its image. Given that Kakao and Starship had previously faced criticism from HYBE fandom for involving groups like LE SSERAFIM and NewJeans, it seems the tide has shifted, though this isn’t necessarily beneficial to the artists.

August 16, 2023

Regarding SEVENTEEN, fans mostly still want to support the group, with few pushing for an extreme move like Joshua’s removal, as his membership is integral to the team’s value. However, due to the hurt this incident caused fans, they need a reason to move past it. In Japan, where the tour is approaching, fans are showing a subtle reaction by not selling out Joshua’s individual merchandise. Despite different responses in East Asia, there is shared disappointment. Joshua often paired with Jeonghan in Japan, so a replacement is necessary, making Seungkwan’s presence crucial. The Yoon & Boo pairing has been steadily popular, so strategically focusing on them in Japan could help. Some fans who forgave Joshua remember when he took care of Seungkwan on In the Soop, further highlighting his role in the team. Seungkwan’s recent Weverse post visibly boosted fandom morale. During a community backlash against Joshua, Mingyu’s Weverse live re-engaged fans. While it’s unclear if this was intentional or not, it reassured fans as he subtly showed Wonwoo in his shared space, debunking rumors that Joshua might live with a girlfriend. Although fans focused on Mingyu’s apparent “coupling,” it maintained the group living dynamic they value. Additionally, rumors of Mingyu dating Jeon Somi, pushed by online users, faded after his live session.

August 30, 2023

RIIZE made a pre-debut appearance on Inkigayo, which served as their debut stage. Their teaser photos turned out surprisingly well. Wonbin, whose face appears different in front and profile, often wore a beanie to help balance his look, but without it, he appeared less proportional and not ideal for a central role. Currently, the highest fan-cam views belong to Wonbin and Anton, with the rest garnering less interest. Anton, who is taller than expected but struggles with dancing, seems to have been heavily coached for the choreography video, yet his weaknesses became apparent on Inkigayo, drawing comparisons to Chanyeol. Rather than just being stiff, Anton doesn’t fully grasp spatial movement.

It seemed like he kept watching his fellow members for cues while dancing, which raised questions about whether this is something that can improve with practice, leaving people a bit confused. The issue with the remaining “filler” members may also worsen, as Seunghan, who moved to this team from the rookies, recently sparked a minor commotion when a private account posted several photos of him kissing his girlfriend. Allegedly, his girlfriend is a minor, and the photos—taken as selfies on a bed in what appears to be a hotel, in cafes, etc.—make it hard to dismiss as mere fan intrusion. Additionally, a tonic water bottle spotted on a table suggests drinking, and with the label indicating this year’s version, the fact that he took these photos right before debut led to negative reactions.

Moreover, it’s clear that certain communities don’t want to drag out this issue. On Instiz, people quickly framed him as a “victim of leaked photos,” attempting to silence further discussion and adopting a “he’ll handle his career well” stance. Over on TheQoo, the issue didn’t even make it to trending topics, raising questions about the contrast to the outrage surrounding TXT Taehyun’s past club photos. It reflects how some online spaces manage public opinion without worrying about repercussions. While this won’t affect core issues, it could still stir tensions within the fandom, necessitating some form of resolution. Seunghan has also announced his absence from an NPOP prerecording schedule, perhaps to garner sympathy from fans and gain time by attributing it to a cold. If he’s too sick to perform right before a comeback, that’s concerning too. With SM’s fandom mostly comprised of loyal followers, any member causing visible issues could become an outcast. Given the mental resilience required, it’s uncertain how well SM’s emotional care will support him.

At the NPOP taping, Sohee sang “If It Was Me” a cappella to promote his vocal role. Previously, he was known for controversial photos, leading to high expectations for his vocal role. However, the reaction was that his skill was more “like an average person showing off at karaoke.” Winter’s strong vocals helped Aespa overcome early criticism, so this perceived weakness in vocals is all the more noticeable for an SM artist. Given SM’s typical leniency, the harsh scrutiny seems unusual, possibly reflecting NCT’s lukewarm reception and fueling tension within their fandom as they struggle to adapt to competition from RISE. Now, SM’s handling of NCT is visibly intensifying a sense of survival among its fandom.

September 27, 2023

BTS’s re-contracting news came out, even though they’re not currently promoting as a full group, causing shock among fans. It reinforces the reality of their anticipated full-group comeback in 2025 and affirms HYBE’s commitment to retaining its strongest IP, which some find intimidating. This prompted some fans to deny that members agreed to this, suggesting the board made the decision unilaterally or pressured the members, which RM refuted by posting the contract itself on Instagram.

There were also protests against the re-contracting, and Bizhankook published a skeptical article after the announcement, questioning whether HYBE had rushed to announce the contract renewal to stabilize their stock price. The article’s phrasing seemed influenced by anti-fans, even implying BigHit once prioritized artists over management risks, sparking speculation that it was fed by disgruntled fans or antis.

V’s Tiny Desk video was uploaded to NPR’s channel by the Korean team, which is uncommon, leading some to wonder if it was a special release. Given that his album isn’t suited to traditional music shows, this high-quality live video is probably a good promotional choice. However, the Gangneung Live video seemed to lack foresight, featuring V’s mascot-clad team persuading random tourists to watch him sing live for 20 seconds. The planning disregarded the discomfort such encounters may create, particularly for women, and even led to scenes where some foreign visitors tried to escape. The concept failed to consider viewers’ psychological comfort, raising concerns not only over safety but also about whether such events might inspire similar real-life scenarios with negative implications. Additionally, 20 seconds felt too short for fans to appreciate the live experience, and, since it targeted random people, it came off more like a “meet a star” event, which didn’t resonate positively.

While initially some fans found it cute, after a few days, criticism surfaced on TheQoo, where a critical post garnered over a thousand comments, mostly negative. Honestly, V’s album has had a mixed reception, so this wasn’t too big an issue, but if it had been Jungkook, it might have led to a significant backlash.

VCHA Debut:

They quickly released episodes, finalized the debut lineup, and already have a music video and music show appearances. The six-member group includes one Canadian, one Korean-American, and four Americans, with some members being Hispanic and Vietnamese mixed heritage. The main issue isn’t who was chosen, but rather what they are doing with them. Their music show performances look quite underwhelming. It seems the success of NiziU has misled this company into thinking they can gather a diverse group, apply JYP’s usual “cute” concept, and fans will automatically like it. But the level of training feels frustratingly amateurish, as if watching an entry-level talent show for foreign students in Korea.

The title track, “Y.O.Universe,” feels unnecessarily childish, a term that even NMIXX wouldn’t have used. JYP personally participated in the production of all three songs on the debut album, yet the quality doesn’t seem to align with what K-pop fans abroad might expect if they envision themselves as idols. The music video is also surprisingly basic, with a scene where a member, dreaming of becoming an idol, auditions in front of three foreign judges. However, J.Y. Park himself cast the team, so it feels deceptive. They even cast someone resembling Simon Cowell as a judge, which feels overly contrived.

November 22, 2023

TripleS Update:

TripleS released a choreography video for the song “New Look,” featuring 16 members. They seem to have abandoned the “Gangbuk NewJeans” concept in favor of a more casual, end-stage Japanese idol vibe. The video, hyped as a “huge performance” during their overseas tours, falls short, with choreography that feels basic and styling that resembles a college club level. Surprisingly, this approach seems to cater increasingly to their target audience. Even with QWER’s growth storyline through their hand-sync performance at the LoL World Cup pre-event, this group feels like they’re leaning into quantity over quality, relying on a cast of young girls to carry an aggressive, mass-produced image.

January 17, 2024

(G)I-DLE Teasing

After riding the success of “TOMBOY,” there’s a sense of unease in the teaser, as if the company recognizes the pressure. The trailer video, shot like a makeup brand commercial, feels like it overshadows the members by focusing too much on a “bold” image. Aespa handled such balance well, while here it feels misplaced. Members even had strong vertical text on their faces as if tattooed, and allegedly the company asked them to shoot photocards in this makeup, which Yuqi revealed they refused to do.

While the video managed to stir curiosity, the photo teasers have received a negative response. The first teaser featured styling that looked more like a cosplay of 2NE1 than a reinterpretation, while the second teaser, set in a snowy scene, had the members in fur hats, boots, and crystal bikini-like outfits, sparking criticism for resembling overseas shopping mall photos. Some fans argue this crosses into plagiarism, while others question the logic of shooting nearly bare in a winter concept, which seems contradictory to the “confident women” image the group promotes. This debate has escalated, as fans point out how the group’s image contrasts with the frequent display of ultra-thin bodies and revealing outfits. It seems the hit song “Queencard” only masked deeper issues within the team, which might persist like a thorn if not addressed.