K-pop idols often get unnecessary hate for the pettiest reasons – whether it’s not maintaining their looks or lacking talents. However, idol group ENHYPEN (엔하이픈) was recently criticised for not being “gay” enough with each other.
A forum user recently shared their disappointment, lamenting that the popular boyband isn’t doing much fanservice with each other. In the K-pop fandom culture, fanservice often includes same-sex idols engaging in skinship and displaying affection with each other. Fans enjoy seeing such fanservice, and idols often engage in such interactions to promote themselves and their group.
However, the forum user lamented that ENHYPEN members don’t do much of this type of fanservice, even saying that it makes them boring. They also said that they lost interest in reading fanfictions of the group, and ultimately the group themselves, suggesting it was because they weren’t being “gay” enough with each other in real life. Unsurprisingly, the post received tons of backlash.
Many netizens jumped to defend the group, calling the criticism petty and unnecessary. Many argued that the forum user is forcing ENHYPEN to perform extreme fanservice just to attract attention, essentially putting them in uncomfortable situations. On the other hand, some fans say members naturally developing a close bond is better than forcing interactions to please fans.
The post also brought up the issue of fans dehumanising idols and only seeing them as entertainment without considering their comfort and feelings. Many K-pop fans have debated the topic of same-sex idols being forcefully shipped with each other, which promotes unhealthy and parasocial behaviour amongst fans. Some also suggested that this issue is why idols receive hate when they get caught up in dating rumours.
It does seem that this criticism is one of the more pettier ones that an idol group have received – but what are your thoughts on this? Do you think idols should be called out for not displaying enough affection with each other?
Source: Koreaboo
