tripleS Receives Music Critic Criticism Following Disappointing Lip-Synced Performance

TripleS Faces Backlash for Lip-Synced ASSEMBLE25 Showcase

The burgeoning 5th-generation K-pop girl group TripleS is currently under scrutiny after their highly anticipated ASSEMBLE25 showcase on May 12. Although the event appeared seamless, critics from the music industry expressed significant disappointment due to the entire performance being lip-synced, sparking controversy among K-pop enthusiasts.

Post-event discussions on the well-known Korean online forum TheQoo revealed a slew of negative reactions from veteran music critics, especially Jung Min-jae and Kim Do-heon, who attended the showcase. Both critics took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey their concerns, which added fuel to the ongoing debate.

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Critics Voice Their Discontent

Critic Jung Min-jae articulated his astonishment regarding the absence of live singing, even during TripleS’s title track “Are You Alive.”

“They performed three songs, including the title track, and mixed in some fan service. That part was fun. But all three songs were lip-synced. I expected at least one live performance, ” he wrote.

Further expressing his frustration, Jung questioned the rationale behind inviting music critics to assess an event that lacked any live performance.

“Why bring in critics if you’re not going to offer a real musical stage? I was furious when even the title wasn’t performed live. If this had been just for fans, maybe it’d be enough. But this needed sincerity—at least one live song.”

K-pop’s Authenticity Questioned

Similarly, critic Kim Do-heon shared his views, suggesting that the lack of cohesive live performances undermined TripleS’s reputation for artistic ambition.

“TripleS is known for a grand concept and creative ambition under CEO Jaden Jeong, but this showcase lacked cohesion. A group praised for harmony didn’t sing live. Instead of showing unity, they appeared disjointed.”

The critiques have generated a wave of frustration among netizens. Many are bewildered by the decision to invite critics to a showcase that omitted live vocals, while some empathize with the group, attributing the oversight to mismanagement by the agency. Despite TripleS’s dedication and hard work, the overwhelming focus on the lip-synced performance overshadowed their evident efforts.

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Community Reactions

Comments on TheQoo encapsulated widespread sentiments:

What were they inviting people to watch?
With so many members, a live performance should have been feasible—if they lacked confidence, a backing track could have sufficed.
Inviting music critics only to lip-sync? That’s questionable.
While keeping up with them, some mentioned that frequent changes to unit formations might be consuming all rehearsal time. Such a waste of their hard work.
Why even invite critics to a showcase to begin with?

This backlash has ignited a larger conversation about authenticity in K-pop performances, particularly in the context of press involvement. Fans and industry observers are now keenly awaiting the response from TripleS and their management.

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