Fan Goes Viral For Burning Photos Of NCT’s Johnny, Igniting Unexpected Mixed Reactions
When a K-Pop idol does something to be “canceled” by fans, regardless of how serious the situation is, a part of the fandom usually completely abandons them.
For example, fans destroyed merchandise during the laughable protests following EXO Chen‘s marriage announcement…
…while former fans of Kim Woojin burned his merch after now-proven false allegations of sexual assault and more were first announced.
#WOOJIN: lol ๐ that was ๐ ๐ป embarrassing ๐ณ !!! anyways ๐ฅบ support ๐ฅฐ my solo ๐คช career ๐ง๐ผโโ๏ธ pic.twitter.com/WfMNz28Lgc
— kas :) is missing ateez :( (@DI0RJWYY) September 8, 2020
Usually, the burning of merch is meant to signify the end of supporting that idol, but a fan of NCT‘s Johnny recently proved that false, though it sparked mixed reactions.
While many fansites only share photos of their selected idol, others use their photos to create unofficial merchandise like calendars and slogans.
Fansite Shine4John is one fan currently advertising “cheering kits” for the idol, which include fans, slogans, and other items featuring images of Johnny. These items are pretty standard for fansite goods, but some feature a unique twist.
Cheering Kit for #JOHNNY
(แด) sสษชษดแด๐แดแดสษด๐ฏ๐ตTHE UNITY TOKYO ็พๅฐ่ฒฉๅฃฒ
ไบๅไบ็ดใฏใใใๅ ฌๆผๅฝๆฅใๅ ฌๆผๅ ด่ฟใใง่ฒฉๅฃฒใใพใใฎใงใใใคใใฟใผใฎใกใใปใผใธใซ็ๆใ้กใใใพใ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
โข็นๅ ธใฏๅ ็้ ใงๅทฎใไธใใพใ pic.twitter.com/ydY9iRTDZc
— ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฑ๐๐๐ (@Shine4John_0209) March 7, 2024
In a clip uploaded on the fansite’s X account, a person holding photos of Johnny is shown striking a match and holding it to the photo. However, instead of burning, the heat from the lit match removes Johnny’s “shirt,” revealing his bare chest.
Some were left in shock and awe at the creativity of the fansite’s goods
my jaw dropped ohmygosh need johnny reaction https://t.co/kq66jnPzLo
— โ๏ธ (@lilbubseungyoon) March 7, 2024
op uโr a genius https://t.co/iZUmqCzU9n
— meri saw doyoung tf (@coupsv88) March 7, 2024
yall are so damn creative agahshsjs https://t.co/aCCdQ1cXjh
— guy โจ (๐ฟ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐พ๐๐) (@tenderyv) March 7, 2024
Others found it strange because Johnny was already shirtless in the original photos and allowing fans to “take off” his clothes didn’t sit well. Many felt this twist was another way of objectifying the idol for his body.
I just want yall to take a second to remember that heโs a real person.
Hope this helps ๐ฉท https://t.co/vlJmrTqXpj
— ๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ (@shiyanasays) March 7, 2024
why not just give the pictures as is instead of making the fans "take off" his shirt ๐ญ๐ญ? https://t.co/pOU26wX1fM
— kish๐ป๐ณ๐ฉท๐ท (@peachyeongi) March 7, 2024
can yall be fucking normal like we really didnโt need to make this https://t.co/5fBlsMX1Gk
— ali~johnnys pr manager (@suhnny127) March 7, 2024
This is very weird… like do yall only care about his body? https://t.co/RUpo9MzX4O
— Lex (@FairyLightHwa) March 7, 2024
While Johnny has shown no discomfort in showing off his hard-earned physique, it is understandable why some would have discomfort with this sort of merch.