Despite initially receiving sympathy for the hate comments directed towards ILLIT, Korean netizens now harbor suspicions that Wonhee was pressured by HYBE staff to delete the messages.
On May 14, 2024, ILLIT hosted a live stream on Weverse to commemorate 50 days since their debut. During the stream, a particular segment gained attention as it showed Wonhee actively deleting and reporting hate comments while Yunah read out positive comments received by the girl group.
Does this kid have a live broadcast commemorating the 50th day of his debut, but is deleting malicious comments with his own hands because he doesn’t deserve to be congratulated? Since it’s an adult’s problem, let’s hold only the adults responsible. Is it because the kids have done something wrong that they have to endure criticism that isn’t even this kind of criticism? If you were born in 2007, you are 18 years old… Everyone, please do it in moderation. pic.twitter.com/y4Sb4187xJ
— Look it’s 엄궁미 Switched it up, who’s this? (@UMGUNGMI) May 14, 2024
In addition, Wonhee gained widespread attention for her shocked response to a supportive remark from her fans.
Wonhee, I like this person after seeing a good comment… … … .. Really, what is the reason for leaving a negative comment on a person like this and letting them see it while installing the Weverse app? https://t.co/s0NNmfGYiV pic.twitter.com/zBA8fZHAxs
— ㅎㅂ (@2beinjeans) May 14, 2024
Despite initially receiving sympathy from Korean netizens, it is now believed that the idol was coerced into feigning sadness and reporting comments by staff.
On May 15, 2024, a user on the popular South Korean online community forum Instiz posted a thread titled “I hope ILLIT Wonhee wasn’t pretending”with GIFs of Wonhee from a live stream.
Prior to receiving the phone, Wonhee was observed happily interacting with the other members. However, she quickly became alert when staff members called her over, her eyes darting from side to side. As the phone was passed to her, Wonhee expressed her gratitude and appeared to be nervous.
She quickly placed the phone in front of her, her eyes darting around before settling on the device. She proceeded to delete and report comments with intense focus.
In the comments section, Korean netizens questioned whether Wonhee was under pressure from HYBE Labels to behave a certain way. They argued that it seemed as though Wonhee was compelled to read and delete negative comments, implying that HYBE was manipulating her for publicity and to deflect criticism.
Numerous individuals expressed their sympathy for Wonhee if it is indeed the case that HYBE forced her to make those comments in her report. They strongly criticized the company for their behavior and questioned their motives for taking such actions.
- Some comments read,
- “Wonhee was moving her eyes so fast…”
- “Looks like they forced the baby to do it…”
- “I used to think that people who claimed she was acting was reaching, but seeing this, it really looks weird.”
- “Does HYBE take us as fools?”
- “I knew this was forced virality the moment I saw this trending.”
- “Wow… This is disgusting.”
- “Using their artists as shields again, I see. They really don’t think about their artists at all and just use them.”
- “Wow, just how stupid do they think people are to orchestrate this… Do they think they won’t get caught? This is seriously embarrassing.”
- “Wow, so it was fake?”
- “If they really made Wonhee do this… I pity the baby. That company is just evil.”
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