URGENT UPDATE: Rookie idol Kyehoon from the boy group KickFlip is facing intense backlash over controversial messages he sent to fans on the Bubble platform. The backlash comes just days after he gained viral attention for his K-Drama-style communication.
Kyehoon, 21, recently posted about visiting “London Bagel,” a popular café in South Korea. However, he was unaware that the London Bagel Museum is currently embroiled in a scandal involving the tragic death of a 26-year-old employee, who reportedly worked excessive hours. The news of the employee’s death has sparked widespread outrage in South Korea.
“I’m going to go have some London bagels,” Kyehoon wrote, adding, “Or is that not trendy anymore?”
As fans quickly informed Kyehoon of the ongoing boycott against the café, he issued an apology: “I’m sorry, I had no idea about the controversy. I’ll be careful going forward.” However, this apology has not quelled the storm of criticism.
Further complicating matters, previous messages from Kyehoon have resurfaced, raising eyebrows among fans and netizens alike. In these messages, he attempted to engage his “adult fans” in what he described as “hot talk.” This prompted mixed reactions, with some fans expressing concern over the appropriateness of his comments.
“Are there any minors here? I’m an adult, so I’m cautious around minors,” he wrote before continuing, “But I don’t want to act all cautious around my darlings. Listen up, adults. Let’s have some hot talk.”
This string of messages has led to criticism, with one fan stating, “If some random dude said ‘Let’s have some hot talk,’ I’d honestly want to report it for sexual harassment.” The backlash intensified as a viral post on the popular forum theqoo saw hundreds of comments, many urging Kyehoon to tone down his messaging style.
Comments included sentiments like “He’s trying too hard,” and “His messages just aren’t funny anymore.” Many fans expressed concern that Kyehoon feels pressured to deliver entertaining content, which could lead to further missteps.
Despite the ongoing criticism, some fans defended Kyehoon, acknowledging that he may not have been aware of the London Bagel Museum’s situation. “I’m okay with the London Bagel thing since he clearly didn’t know about it and he apologized for it,” one fan commented.
As the situation unfolds, the impact on Kyehoon’s career remains uncertain. Fans are closely watching for his next moves and how he will navigate the challenges of fame and public scrutiny.
In the wake of this controversy, it’s crucial for Kyehoon and other idols to be aware of current events and their potential implications on their public image. The backlash highlights the delicate balance that idols must maintain between engaging with fans while avoiding sensitive topics.
What happens next for Kyehoon is yet to be seen, but he has a significant opportunity to learn from this experience and potentially rebuild trust with his fanbase. As fans call for accountability, the idol industry must also reflect on the pressures placed on young artists to maintain relevance and humor in a fast-paced, ever-evolving social media landscape.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story continues to unfold.
