NewJeans’ Minji recently stirred up controversy due to a past livestream, leading fans to reflect on their behavior towards idols.
On January 16, Minji surprised K-pop enthusiasts by posting an apology. In her statement, she said sorry to her fans for her behavior in a recent livestream and disclosed that she had been harassed over a seemingly small misunderstanding.
As time went on, more comments were made against her, even touching on her relationships with fellow members, causing strange misunderstandings and continued harassment, knowingly or unknowingly, for a year.
Minji gave an explanation
Feeling frustrated, Minji gave an explanation, but she also expressed deep reflection on her immature attitude, realizing how it might have disappointed her fans. During her vacation, she thought a lot about the incident, discussing the responsibility of her every word with people around her and learning valuable lessons.
Minji promised to be more careful and attentive, aiming not to repeat the same mistake. She once again apologized to the fans, referred to as Bunnies, who may have felt uncomfortable and embarrassed during the live broadcast.
In a recent livestream, Minji decided to stand up to the trolls and directly addressed the harassment. She said, “Everyone, do you think I wouldn’t know what kalguksu is? So, what’s kalguksu mean, like… Would I not know, everyone? Think about it twice.
That’s right. I didn’t know, that’s why I said I didn’t. Do you all know how many types of kalguksu there are, and the ingredients that go into it?”
As news about the livestream and her apology spread, many fans started thinking about the harassment idols face during their livestreams. This isn’t the first time it has happened, as seen in incidents like a fan making an inappropriate request during a fan call with ZEROBASEONE’s Ricky and SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi facing harassment from a Sasaeng during his livestream.
Minji’s controversy
During a broadcast with streamer ChimChakMan, the girls were discussing kalguksu and various types of noodles. Minji, being a picky eater, subconsciously muttered to herself, “What is kalguksu” in Korean. Although she knew what it was, having never tried it due to her preferences, the thought slipped out in the wrong way. She clarified this in her later apology.
Some netizens took this opportunity to attack her, accusing her of “pretending to have a concept of a rich, luxurious girl who studied overseas.”
They questioned how a Korean from Gangwon-do didn’t know what kalguksu was. Feeling overwhelmed by these baseless accusations, Minji addressed them in a livestream on January 2, 2024, hitting back at the haters.
Hanni tried to lighten the mood after Minji’s response, but the clarification seemed to anger more people. Some criticized her for using awkward English when she said, “So, what’s kalguksu mean” in English.
As time passed, more people joined the hate train, and instead of constructive criticism, trolls and haters seemed determined to target Minji. Almost a year after the initial livestream, she finally posted an apology, stating that the malicious hate had become too much. With her clarification, hopefully, the incident can now be put to rest.
More about NewJeans Minji
Minji is a singer and lyricist from South Korea, part of the group NewJeans under ADOR. She had a special appearance in BTS’s “Permission to Dance” music video on July 9, 2021, and she was #THE_GIRL for the Plus global audition in 2019. NewJeans debuted on July 22 with the lead single “Attention,” and their first EP, “New Jeans,” was released on August 1.
Minji graduated from Hanlim Multi Arts School on February 10, 2023. She also has an older brother named Kim Jae-Woong, who is a Mixed Martial Artist.
NewJeans red carpet look goes viral
The 38th Golden Disc Awards had a star-studded red carpet, and the spotlight was on the sensational K-Pop group NewJeans. Fans were eagerly anticipating not just the awards but also the fashion statement the group would make.
When NewJeans members walked the red carpet, it was clear they nailed the assignment. Their outfits perfectly blended individual style with group identity, showcasing their unique aesthetic that fans love worldwide. The coordinated ensembles struck a balance between elegance and youthfulness, resembling modern princesses at an enchanted ball.
Minji, a member of the group, particularly stood out with her poised demeanor and stunning attire. Fans and netizens flooded social media with comments about her eye-catching look. The group’s appearance at the awards ceremony was a visual treat for their admirers.
