Members of a fourth-generation band had previously expressed solidarity.
JYP entertainment was criticized after fans suspected the agency was preventing its artists from expressing their political views.
The criticism concerns two members of the K-Band Xdinari Heroes.
Members June AND Seumi from Xdinary Heroes had posted the statuses on Bubblea fan communication app, which expressed support for protesters calling for the impeachment of the South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. Juni had changed his status to “sucker punch,” a phrase used by protesters to refer to the president (a pun on his name, “Suk Yeol”). On the other hand, Seumi had put a simple candle emoji on her status, which has become a popular symbol of solidarity with the pro-impeachment protests.
However, fans noted that both of these states were short-lived. Juni changed it about twenty minutes later to just a “.” sign while Seumi replaced the emoji with the phrase “Cheer up”. The latter also removed his profile picture and background picture.
Fans suspect that JYP Entertainment is directly involved in censoring the singers’ political views on Bubble and have heavily criticized the company. In particular, netizens seemed very disappointed that the agency debuted Xdinary Heroes as a punk band, but distanced them from any political messages, which is simply the essence of punk.
jype debuting in an alt rock band and not expecting political messages or opinions from the members is so damn stupid https://t.co/GGYQlFVYpU
— junhaned | FREE 🍉 (@feliixitations) December 8, 2024
jyp when the punk band they debuted with acts like a punk band https://t.co/TT9jOSeGMT pic.twitter.com/Nh4lc7eFVC
— Sasha˙ᵕ˙ (@angelicdotsasha) December 10, 2024
jype, leader in disappointment as always. they’re silencing the kids
you can’t be punk if you don’t speak out against injustice. https://t.co/sR93RM4ByB
— JaEun 🌸🌸🌸 (@JaEunie_hearteu) December 8, 2024
how are you going to make an alternative band and not let them talk about political issues or at least show support in small ways https://t.co/HnSnziC1Mp
— VOTE MAJINGXIANG (@rickysh3n) December 9, 2024
Meanwhile, JYP Entertainment is currently embroiled in a scandalous lawsuit involving the ex VCHA member KG. Read more here.
