The K-pop scene is abuzz with the latest concept photos from EVNNE. These photos are for their debut mini-album, Target: ME. These photos, featuring the members in a cozy-looking home, were meant to showcase their youthful chemistry and set the stage for their much-anticipated debut. 

A promotional schedule is also out, giving fans a glimpse of what to expect in the coming weeks. 

However, instead of pure excitement, a cloud of controversy now hangs over the group’s debut.

What is EVNNE to do?

EVNNE’s agency Jellyfish Entertainment initially slated the group’s debut for September 18, 2023. The gravity of September 18 in Chinese history is profound. On this day in 1932, a train track near Mukden, China, exploded. The Japanese were behind the explosion and attempted to frame Chinese nationalists for it. This incident became the catalyst for Japan’s subsequent invasion of Manchuria and other parts of China. For Chinese nationals, September 18 is a day of remembrance and silent reflection, observed solemnly across the nation.

The decision to debut EVNNE on such a historically charged date was met with immediate backlash. Chinese fans, feeling that Jellyfish Entertainment’s decision disregards their history, have started boycotting the group. With a considerable segment of EVNNE‘s fanbase based in China, the demand for a date change is not just about historical reverence but also about the group’s potential success in the Chinese market.

EVNNE, a collab between Rain Company, WAKEONE, and Yuehua Entertainment, operates under the Jellyfish Entertainment banner. The group is composed of notable Boys Planet contestants, such as Keita, Ji Yunseo, Lee Jeonghyeon, Park Hanbin, Park Jihoo, Mun Junghyun, and Yoo Seungeon. 

As of this writing, Jellyfish Entertainment has yet to acknowledge the backlash. Stay tuned for any updates. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: What will Jellyfish Entertainment decide? Source: Twitter/@EVNNE_official.