SEVENTEEN’s Joshua found himself at the center of online controversy following his appearance at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on January 10. While the event marked a historic moment for K-pop — with BLACKPINK’s Lisa presenting an award and Joshua attending as the first male idol guest — one of Joshua’s answers to the interview sparked an unexpected reaction.
Wearing a sleek black suit and Chaumet jewelry, Joshua graced the red carpet and participated in interviews with several outlets, including Billboard. During one segment, he was asked about the KPop animated film Demon Hunters, which gained popularity by blending K-pop themes with Hollywood-style storytelling.
In response, Joshua said, “I’m really happy. New doors are opening for K-pop. I can’t believe it’s gotten this big.” His comment, while seemingly supportive, was met with mixed reactions when shared online.
The interview was briefly posted on X (formerly Twitter) with a headline emphasizing Joshua’s praise for KPop Demon Hunters changing the trajectory of K-pop. However, the clip was later deleted and the YouTube video was made private.
Some netizens interpreted his comment as diminishing BTS’ historical global impact, accusing him of being dismissive or “disrespectful.” They argued that BTS had long opened the global door to K-pop, and that framing KPop Demon Hunters as a turning point seemed tone-deaf.
On the other hand, many fans defended Joshua, clarifying that he was clearly referring to the film’s significance within the global animation and cinema space – not erasing BTS’ contributions, but highlighting how the film represents new types of mainstream visibility for K-pop.
The situation remains a topic of debate online, with some calling for better wording in global interviews, while others say the reaction is exaggerated and lacks context.
Sources: Koreaboo
