GOT7’s BamBam Responds To Netizen Accusing Him Of “Sexualizing Minors”

It resurfaced a past controversy.

Over the weekend, GOT7‘s BamBam and NCT’s Jeno both went viral as they took off their shirts during their respective concerts. BamBam performed his sold-out 2023-2024 BamBam THE 1ST WORLD TOUR ENCORE ‘AREA 52’ in BANGKOK, while NCT DREAM performed THE DREAM SHOW 3 IN SEOUL. 

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BamBam (top) and Jeno (bottom)

Some netizens began pitting the two against each other, although they were both working hard at their concerts.

In a now-deleted post, a netizen quote-tweeted a post about BamBam, claiming “Jeno did it better.” Ahgases called them out, and the netizen posted another tweet, slandering BamBam, alleging that the GOT7 member “sexualizes minors” and that “nobody knows who BamBam is.”

BamBam was angered by this specific tweet and replied, “How about you stfu,” meaning, “How about you shut the f*ck up?”

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“Sexualizing minors” is likely a reference to an old clip from BamBam’s online interview series Bam’s House. The clip was taken from Episode 6, released in February 2023.

BamBam’s guest, YouTuber Poongja, asked him who he was a fan of lately, to which he mentioned aespa‘s Winter and NewJeansHaerin. He explained that their songs feel healing to him.

BamBam: These days… I’d say Winter.

Poongja: She’s pretty.

BamBam: Winter and… Haerin.

Poongja: From NewJeans!

BamBam: Right, from NewJeans. Listening to their songs… It’s healing. To put it simply, I think I like women with short hair.

Poongja: Avoiding me in every direction, huh?

Later in the video, around 12:30, Poongja asked BamBam to choose between Nayeon (from Transit Love, not the TWICE member) or Haerin. He initially chose Haerin but stopped himself, saying she was “too young.” She was 16 years old at the time, and he believed it was “risky” to be a fan of such a young idol. Yet, Poongja continued to pressure him into choosing.

Poongja: Between Nayeon and Haerin, then?

BamBam: Haerin? From NewJeans?

Poongja: Right.

BamBam: Haerin. Except she’s too young… Wait, yeah. She’s literally too young.

Poongja: Who are you even talking to? Is your CEO here somewhere?

BamBam: No, I’m- I mean, it’s kind of risky.

Poongja: What’s risky about this?!

BamBam: As an ideal type?

Poongja: You can absolutely like her as a fan. I like Park Seo Joon. Doesn’t mean I’m going to do something to him.

Since BamBam was 25 at the time, netizens were quick to criticize BamBam, saying that it was “creepy” and “inappropriate” for him to be a fan of a young idol, just as he feared in the video. Some even accused him of being a pedophile.

What BamBam(Got7) said about NewJeans Haerin is extremely creepy to me
byu/No-Committee1001 inkpopthoughts

Some loyal fans defended BamBam, explaining that these clips were taken out of context and partially mistranslated. While netizens have accused BamBam of sexualizing young idols, throughout the episode, he referred to the mentioned idols in wholesome terms, saying he was a fan of their music or that they were like sisters.

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byu/No-Committee1001 from discussion
inkpopthoughts

BamBam’s ideal type has always been older women. His ultimate bias has been Girls’ Generation‘s Taeyeon for many years.

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byu/No-Committee1001 from discussion
inkpopthoughts

BamBam responded after the increase of hate he received for the video. He revealed it was bothering him and asked fans not to believe a 10-second clip.

Although this was one year ago, BamBam is still affected to this day. So, naturally, he was upset by the recent tweet. The OP (Original Poster)’s account has since been suspended.

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Read more about the past controversy below.

GOT7’s BamBam Under Fire For Comments About NewJeans’ Haerin; Label ABYSS Company Threatens Legal Action Against Malicious Commenters

Source: BamBam1A

GOT7

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