RIIZE’s Seunghan and TXT’s Soobin became the focal point of a heated debate recently, following allegations that they mocked LE SSERAFIM’s Hong Eunchae. The controversy was sparked by a mistranslation of the leaked livestream, which captured the two idols in a casual conversation.
The leak captured a conversation between Seunghan and Soobin during an Instagram Live session. Seunghan is heard saying, “It’s a fact. (incomprehensible) can’t dance, sing, or rap. Just excited just because you MC-ed for Music Bank. You even got to meet our Eunchae.” Soobin then responds, “I have something to show you,” and turns the camera to show his foot making a gesture that some interpreted as rude. This exchange, particularly Seunghan‘s reference to Eunchae as “our” and the ambiguous gesture by Soobin, sparked the controversy.
The controversy escalated due to a mistranslation of the leak, which misrepresented their words, leading to widespread debate among international fans and Korean netizens. The misinterpretation painted a different picture, suggesting a direct mockery of Eunchae, which was not the case in the actual conversation.
@moluccensis Soobin’s toes all over my timeline 😭 #txt #riize #seunghan #soobin #eunchae #lesserafim
Seunghan is a lightning rod for controversies
This incident has led fans to reassess Soobin‘s public image. It challenged their perception of him as a clean and innocent idol. The revelation of his involvement in the conversation surprised many, highlighting the impact of even minor controversies on the careers of idols, who rely on maintaining a positive public image.
The situation worsened when pictures and videos of Seunghan smoking in public surfaced online. These images, showing the young idol with a lit cigarette, sparked further debate about his image and the example he sets for his young audience. While some netizens expressed their displeasure, fans defended Seunghan, arguing that his personal habits shouldn’t be subjected to public scrutiny.
This incident marks the third controversy involving Seunghan within three months of his debut with RIIZE. Previously, pictures and videos of him with his then-girlfriend were leaked, leading to criticism from netizens, though his fans defended the rookie idol’s right to privacy. However, it can’t be denied that he’s kind of a lightning rod for controversies.
https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisblkdalia/video/7302618391624551726?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=6908322787502065153
The fine line idols must walk
After his first brush with scandal, Seunghan apologized to fans. However, many felt that the apology was unnecessary, as his personal rights were violated. Still, because he’s been involved in plenty of controversies, fans are concerned about the future of RIIZE and his public image.
This leak sparked a debate about idols’ privacy and the boundaries that should exist between their public personas and private lives. Many have expressed concern over the constant scrutiny that idols face. But some say that they should be cautious about what they do and say, even in private settings. This incident highlighted the fine line idols must walk every single day.
The agencies of RIIZE and TXT have yet to release official statements regarding the incident. However, the leak has certainly drawn attention to the need for better safety measures to protect the privacy of idols. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Although Seunghan and Soobin received lots of backlash, they also have their fair share of defenders. Source: X/@fortxtriize.