The imminent group of Co-and ED of the Black Label Alnday Project is facing significant online criticisms only one day after the company has officially announced training.
The disputes focus on the Lee Chaewon member, also known as Tarzzan, and the accusations of cultural appropriation referred to his hairstyle choices. Fans accused the model transformed into idol of wearing intertwined intertwined hairstyles that are culturally significant for black communities. The problem began after more photos on Tarzzan Instagram account showed him various intertwined styles, as well as a similar style in the teaser images of the group’s official debut.
Many Netizen stressed that this seems to be a recurring choice rather than an isolated accident. The repercussions worsened when the fans discovered that Tarzzan’s Instagram account follows the Canadian rapper Tory Lane, who was sentenced in 2023 with three charges of crime, including the assault with a semi -automatic pistol against the stallion of rapper Megan Thee. Critics interpreted this how to show support for mistreatment.
The AllDay project represents the second of the black label group debut In less than a year, following the launch of MeVV. The five-members co-ED-and-and group includes Annie Moon, Bailey Sok, Jo Woochan, Tarzzan and Youngseo, who previously were part of Illit’s pre-debut formation but left before the group’s official debut.
The social media platforms have been flooded with requests for responsibility from the management, with some fans who organize the efforts to directly contact the black label on the dispute that surrounds Tarzzan.
“Tarzzan (@tarzzan_boy) is a choice of the group that I do not seriously like. Its excessive use of black aesthetics and the concept of Dug and sculpted braids cannot be ignored”, wrote a fan.
The controversy divided the potential fans, with many who express it while initially they were enthusiastic about the concept of the group and others membersNow they feel in conflict for the support of Allday Project as a group, with some demanding of Tarzzan’s complete removal from training.
Starting from Monday, the black label has not issued any official declaration that faces the accusations of cultural appropriation against Tarzzan or the concerns relating to the Tory Lanez connection on Instagram. The company confirmed the plans for the debut of the Co-and group at the beginning of this month, but remained silent about the growing question.
The controversy echoes to longtime debates on cultural appropriation in k-pop. In 2022, Hani of Exid faced criticism for wearing braids in teaser images for the return of the group tenth anniversary, bringing producers to blur His hairstyle in the final music video.
Likewise, the Chan of To1 apologized in 2023 after wearing a Dug during a Kcon La performance, recognizing the cultural meaning of the hairstyle for black communities. Jennie di Blackpink also aroused indignation in 2022 when it appeared with the braids in the trailer of “The Idol” of the HBO, with the critics that support the constituted style of the black cultural identity.
