Hearts2Hearts’ Ian has come under scrutiny after an old social media post resurfaced, sparking controversy over its ableist connotations. The post, which featured a photo of Ian posing with a friend, included a caption that read, “two disabled people.”
The use of the Korean term “jangae-in,” commonly used to refer to disabled individuals, was seen as insensitive and offensive by many netizens.
Although the term is not as severe as certain slurs, its casual use as a joke among students has long been criticized. The backlash was swift, with many netizens expressing their disappointment and frustration. One user commented, “Wait a minute. ‘Disabled?’ This gives me PTSD… What’s up with her? She’s scary.” Others condemned the idol-in-training, calling for accountability.
Divided Opinions and Ongoing Speculation
As criticism mounted, some netizens defended Ian, arguing there was no confirmation that she had written the caption herself.
The original exposé post was later deleted by its author, who admitted they had not verified whether Ian or her friend had uploaded the caption.
The OP issued a statement apologizing for not considering this detail before posting and mentioned that they were waiting for clarification from their source.
Despite the ongoing debate, Ian’s agency, SM Entertainment, has yet to release an official statement addressing the matter.
Additionally, this is not the first time Ian has faced controversy—she has previously been accused of bullying, adding fuel to the ongoing discussions about her past behavior.
As fans and critics await further clarification, the controversy continues to divide opinions within the K-pop community, raising questions about accountability and the impact of pre-debut actions on an idol’s career.
