Fans are expressing concern over the alleged mistreatment of UNIS members Gehlee and Elisia following the group’s cover of TWICE‘s “What is Love?” at the KBS Open Concert on May 14, 2024.
Despite both Gehlee and Elisia being praised for their vocal abilities during their time on “Universe Ticket” and holding vocalist positions in UNIS, they were notably given little to no lines in the cover performance.
This discrepancy was particularly noticeable given the fewer members in UNIS compared to TWICE, yet all TWICE members received lines in the original song.
Fans raised questions about the equitable distribution of lines among UNIS members, especially considering larger girl groups manage to allocate lines to all members successfully.
Speculation arose regarding the role of language proficiency, with Gehlee and Elisia hailing from the Philippines and potentially facing language barriers compared to their Korean counterparts.
Fans pointed out that other non-Korean members, such as Nana and Kotoko from Japan, had lines on the cover despite language challenges.
Fans directed criticism towards UNIS’s agency, F&F Entertainment, urging them to improve the treatment of Gehlee and Elisia. Fans emphasized the need for fair distribution of opportunities and expressed hope for better consideration in future performances.
The incident underscores broader concerns within the K-pop industry regarding equitable treatment of members, especially those from diverse backgrounds. As fans advocate for fair treatment and representation, agencies face pressure to address issues of inclusion and diversity.
The outcry over UNIS’s cover performance highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all members within a group, regardless of nationality or language proficiency.
