Viral Post Tries To Pit aespa’s Winter Against IVE’s Yujin, Sparks Outrage

A post on Korean online forum Pann has gone viral, racking up over 73,000 views, after drawing comparisons between the Instagram follower counts of popular 4th-generation idols.

The post attempts to downplay IVE’s Yujin by contrasting her social media numbers with those of aespa’s Winter and other idols, sparking massive backlash from Korean netizens.

The original poster claimed that Yujin’s follower count seemed low compared to her peers.

Yujin’s Instagram follower count feels kind of low. I thought she was pretty popular compared to other 4th generation idols, but I guess not. If Jang Wonyoung is in the 14.39 million range, and Yujin is only around 7.92 million, then what’s going on? Among similar-level idols like aespa members, Winter has 12.6 million, Ningning has 9.97 million, and even Giselle has 9.68 million. Lol.

— Viral Pann post

However, many users quickly accused OP of having an underlying intent. Comments alleged the original poster was using aespa’s Winter to indirectly attack Yujin, and that they would later do the same to Winter herself.

While follower counts may reflect a certain level of public interest, fans were quick to point out that popularity is not the only measure of an idol’s impact. Both An Yujin and Winter have continued to build successful careers, and many are calling for an end to unnecessary comparisons.

• “Wow, you’re seriously creepy.”
• “This is that classic mental breakdown pattern:
• Put down Yujin by propping up another idol (Winter). Then, tear down that idol (Winter) by using Yujin to do it. Suddenly claim someone else in the same group (Karina) is getting attacked. Screenshot Google search stats to drag Yujin again. Use Winter’s weak points (the stuff antis cling to) to make it look like Yujin’s fans are the ones attacking. Keep dragging in Karina, Jang Wonyoung, LE SSERAFIM, and NewJeans into this mess for no reason.”
• “Why do people keep trying to pit Winter and Yujin against each other? Is it because they’re more talented than your faves? Are you mad they’re all-rounders? Let it go already, for f*ck’s sake. It’s so obvious that you’re trying to stir up fanwars by bashing Winter to boost Yujin — it’s disgusting.”
• “Thinking Yujin’s fans are obsessed with her follower count… Why the hell are you going off like this when you’re not even a fan?”
• “This person who keeps obsessing over Yujin being a ‘7-year psycho attention seeker’ is apparently a hardcore Jang Wonyoung solo stan, but keeps going after Winter? Don’t use Karina or Winter for your fanwars when you’re not even their fan. I’m sick of people constantly dragging Winter into this. And just to be clear, this is aimed at that mentally unstable freak not Yujin.”