RIIZE‘s Anton recently became the talk of the town for his nonchalant yet uproarious response to being labeled a “nepo baby.” Anton has been in the spotlight even before his debut. That’s because he’s the son of noted musician Lee Yoon Sang.
Following Anton and his father‘s memorable performance at the 2023 Gayo Daejejeon, a netizen referred to him as a “nepo baby.” This is a derogatory term. It’s often used to refer to individuals perceived to have leveraged their family connections for success in the industry.
However, the idol’s response was anything but ordinary. He quoted Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way,” an unapologetic and witty comeback that left netizens in stitches, catapulting Anton to a whole new level of internet fame. On X (formerly known as Twitter), many celebrated his bold and instantly iconic retort.
@we_riize.up Replying to @riize_official I LOVE THAT FOR YOU ANTON! #RIIZE #ANTON #YOONSANG #앤톤 #윤상 #찬영 #CHANYOUNG #talksaxychallenge #talksaxyriize #talksaxy
Anton and Yoon Sang’s performance was well-received
Despite that comment, Anton and Yoon Sang‘s collaborative performance at the 2023 MBC Gayo Daejejeon was well-received by fans. Yoon Sang, a composer and contemporary music professor at Sungshin Women’s University, has been a prominent figure in the music industry since 1987. His diverse catalog spans various genres including ballads, electronica, jazz, pop, and R&B.
He and Anton performed his single “Running,” which he released in 1996 under the artist name Nodance. The song’s original version was a collaboration with Shin Hae-chul, a pioneer of Korean experimental rock music. At the festival, the father-and-son tandem’s rendition saw Yoon Sang on the keys and Anton on the cello. The other RIIZE members harmonized with them. Fans swooned over the duo’s playing and singing.
윤상 X 라이즈 – 달리기 (Yoonsang X RIIZE – Run), MBC 231231 방송
Anton‘s viral moment, paired with the duo’s heartwarming performance at the festival, underscores the unique combination of talent and personality that sets RIIZE apart in the K-pop industry. In a world where negativity often lurks in the comments, Anton‘s lighthearted response to the “nepo baby” comment is a good example of handling criticism with grace and style in a world where negativity often lurks in the comments. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Anton handled that really well, don’t you think? Source: X/@RIIZE_official, X/@yizeuns.
