In recent years, K-pop fans have become increasingly critical of how idols approach LGBTQ+ topics. This scrutiny grows sharper when an idol has a history of controversy. Online communities are quick to call out behaviour they view as performative or dismissive, especially when it comes from someone with past accusations of homophobia or transphobia.
That’s exactly what happened with SUPER JUNIOR’s (슈퍼주니어) Choi Siwon (최시원). During a recent concert in Tokyo, he had a brief on-stage interaction with NCT’s (엔시티) Jaemin (나재민). While some fans saw the moment as harmless or even heartwarming, others didn’t. For them, it brought Siwon’s past back into focus and reignited long-standing concerns about where he truly stands on LGBTQ+ issues.
At the “SMTOWN LIVE 2025” concert on 10th August (Sunday), Siwon was seen holding the younger idol’s hand as they spoke on stage. The brief moment quickly gained attention online. While many fans found the gesture sweet, others reacted differently. One viral tweet reignited backlash, calling Siwon a “homophobe” and accusing him of being “gay for pay” or interacting with someone of the same gender for fan service.
This criticism isn’t new because it actually draws from a history of controversy that spans over a decade. When Siwon was more active on Twitter, he often shared personal views that sparked debate. In one instance, he retweeted a pastor’s statement claiming that gay marriage “doesn’t exist.” The message also supported Kim Davis, the American who notoriously refused to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. After facing widespread backlash, Siwon apologised in a series of tweets. He expressed regret and said he felt ashamed for sharing the post.
In 2022, further backlash followed when a leaked message from Siwon on the fan messaging app Bubble was seen as transphobic. He had shared a meme based on a scene from the film “Titanic” (1997), in which a character lies to save his life. In the edited version, Siwon replaced the dialogue with the phrase “I’m trans”, a move many saw as mocking transgender people.
This incident added to a growing list of controversies, including Siwon’s vocal support for conservative political figures like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump, as well as his take on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Against this backdrop, his interaction with Jaemin has left many fans uneasy. Fans argue this isn’t the first time Siwon has performed closeness with other male idols for attention, with many saying the interaction feels especially disingenuous given his history.
Sources: Koreaboo, Twitter (1)(2)(3)
Zaima Humaira contributed to this article
