HYBE Rebuked For Allegedly Trying To Push ILLIT’s Wonhee As The Second IVE Wonyoung

Amidst the ongoing legal debacles at HYBE and the National Assembly audit, public opinion for the company continues to sour. More and more fans are complaining about different aspects of HYBE’s management.

In a recent viral post on theqoo, a netizen accused HYBE of intentionally pushing ILLIT Wonhee‘s image to emulate that of IVE member Wonyoung. 

As supporting evidence, the OP (Original Poster) pointed out multiple YouTube videos that drew abrupt comparisons between the two idols.

Caption: Jang Wonyoung vs. ILLIT Wonhee: Comparison of their facial expressions one month into debuting. ILLIT’s Wonhee is the biggest star right now.

Title: Idol Queen IVE’s Jang Wonyoung vs. Rising Star ILLIT’s Wonhee: Facial expression comparison one month into their debuts

Caption: ILLIT Wonhee resembling Jang Wonyoung…? Is she copying Jang Wonyoung?

Caption: The past of ILLIT’s Wonhee who is being called the next Jang Wonyoung

In addition, the post also offered a compilation of posts from the Girls Planet 999 forum on DC Gallery, where Wonhee was once again compared to Wonyoung without any particular reason.

“Who is Wonhee on ‘R U Next’?
She’s on Jang Wonyoung’s level, wow.”

— Girls Planet 999 Gallery

“Manifesting that Jang Wonyoung’s fans are going to switch over to ILLIT’s Wonhee. Yep.”

“Jang Wonyoung’s alternative? Wonhee.”

— Girls Planet 999 Gallery

The OP also pointed out media articles that seemed to be pushing the same narrative. The OP claimed that since ILLIT’s debut, Wonhee was the most promoted member and such posts were all over online communities back then. But they stopped appearing once HYBE’s feud began with Min Hee Jin.

At the time of writing, this post has gathered over 62,000 views and more than 700 comments from netizens who largely agreed with the OP.

• “Huh? Their vibes are too different, though?”
• “At least aim for someone who has a similar vibe. What is this…?”
• “Wonyoung is on a different level.”
• “Please get out of Wonyoung’s hair.”
• “Do they really think it will work? LOL.”

Meanwhile, HYBE’s leaked internal reports have invited more backlash from the public as they revealed insulting comments about other idols.

Read more about it here.