THE BOYZ Members Embroiled In Behavior Scandal As Video Causes Uproar In Japan
THE BOYZ members have recently found themselves at the center of a controversy after sharing a video online that has sparked outrage in Japan.
The video shows Sunwoo, New, and Q playing with a cake given to them by a Japanese staff member from a brand the group was promoting. In the clip, they are seen mashing the cake with a spoon, flicking it, and handling it carelessly with their hands, all while laughing — actions that many have found deeply disrespectful.
New himself posted the video, and it has since been deleted.
Regardless, it quickly gained attention not only among K-Pop fans but also among the general public in Japan. The incident has drawn heavy criticism, with many expressing their disappointment and anger over what they perceive as a lack of respect.
A viral tweet that garnered thousands of likes and retweets seems to have encapsulated the sentiments of many Japanese netizens.
待って待って待って最低すぎん？見ていて心が痛くなった。友達が心を込めて作ったケーキだから余計に。食べ物で遊ぶことがまずありえないのにそれを面白がってSNSに載せるアイドルって…てかこの動画を載せて、性格いいですね！ファンになりました！とはならないのになんで載せた？？？？？最低 https://t.co/EPq0qRat46 pic.twitter.com/kUnPxasWQf
— 探偵ちゃん【YouTuber】 (@negitantei) August 9, 2024
Wait, isn’t this just awful? It was painful to watch. The cake was made with care by a friend. Playing with food is unacceptable, but to think an idol would find it funny and post it on social media… No one’s going to watch this and think, ‘Wow, what a great personality! I’m a fan now!’ Why post it at all? This is just the worst.
— @negitantei via X (formerly known as Twitter)
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The situation has become even more heated due to some fans of THE BOYZ allegedly defending their actions by claiming that the behavior reflects Korean culture. This further fueled the controversy, leading to a broader debate that has escalated into a Korea-Japan conflict, with some fans attacking Japan online and bringing up historical grievances.
In response, some THE BOYZ fans tried to defend the group, claiming this behavior is part of Korean culture, while also bashing Japan, bringing up historical issues, and making personal attacks, turning the situation into a Korea-Japan conflict.
— User on Pann
Reactions among Korean netizens have been mixed. While some believe the Japanese are overreacting, others have expressed disappointment in their behavior, particularly given their age and status as a public figure.
Many feel that the members’ actions were immature and reflect poorly on the group as a whole.
- “Since when has it been part of Korean culture to play with food?”
- “It’s even worse because it was a gift from a staff member. If the members had bought it themselves, it could be dismissed as them messing around. But this seems disrespectful.”
- “Some people are literally so obsessed with these men, they’re troubling. Claiming this is Korean culture when anti-Korean sentiment is already high just gives more fuel to the fire. THE BOYZ don’t represent all of Korea, so why act like this is part of Korean culture?”
- “This made me lose interest in Q, New, and Sunwoo. But I’m even more puzzled by the staff who approved this video for Instagram. Didn’t they realize it could spark controversy, especially with a cake prepared by the brand sponsor?”
- “If they treat a cake prepared by their advertiser like this, it’s easy to imagine how they treat gifts from their fans.”
