Idols Are Avoiding Numbers And The Peace Sign Like The Plague Recently — Here’s Why

Idols have been avoiding mentioning any number recently during live streams or interviews. They have also stopped using hand signs such as the peace sign recently. ENHYPEN’s Jungwon held a live stream on April 4, 2024. A fan asked him to give them a lucky number. He was about to reply with his usual favorite, but quickly stopped himself, ending the situation by saying that he “would not talk about numbers.”

행운의 숫자 하나만 골라달라고요?
전 항상 말합니다
제가 좋아하는 숫자는
… (동공지진)

아니다
숫자 얘긴 안할게요ㅋㅎ

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ개뿜 ㅅㅂ pic.twitter.com/O2mnEHgjz5

— 자경!! (@hheiilove) April 4, 2024

Fans quickly praised him for his quick thinking and wit. Despite his young age, he showed great professionalism in the moment, stopping himself from making what could have been a grave mistake.

Wondered if there was a special reason why this is happening now? Read on to find out more.

It is currently voting season in South Korea. As elections are taking place to decide who will take the next 300 seats for the National Assembly, all adults are encouraged to do their duty and vote. As idols are public figures, they cannot use their influence on the public, even by mistake. Any mention of a number, sign, or even a color that coincides with any political team will place the idol on the chopping block. It will invite criticism from the public, as well as accusations that they tried to influence fans with their vote. On the other hand, celebrities are encouraged to post photos of themselves post-voting. As voting is not compulsory but only encouraged, celebrities try to use their influence to encourage more to vote.

During the previous round of voting, ATEEZ made waves by accidentally throwing up peace signs. The peace sign coincides with a symbol for the number two, and could have caused misunderstandings. Members who were more careful quickly stopped the others. They ended up taking a voting proof shot with their hands hidden or balled into fists.

Fear not, the elections will not last much longer. With the date being April 10, 2024, idols will only have to be careful for around a week longer.