PENTAGON's Hongseok is being criticized for his allegedly insensitive comments towards ONF.
ONF and PENTAGON met on Mnet's "Road to Kingdom" and even collaborated on stage together.
In his recent V Live broadcast to communicate with fans, he made a string of comments that rubbed off ONF fans and netizens the wrong way.
One of his statements includes, "If I recommend their song 'Asteroid,' people won't listen to our song. It has the same title, and you get the same feeling of melancholy."
ONF released "Asteroid" back in October 2019. In February, PENTAGON also released a song with the same name.
He continued to focus on the song "Asteroid," making allegedly inappropriate comments towards the rookie group.
"If ONF comes across our 'Asteroid,' they'll feel like frogs in a pond. I don't want to shock ONF. Let's keep it a secret between us because our ONF friends might go crazy if they know about it," he said.
The saying "frogs in a pond" means that someone is looking down on someone or something, thinking of them as small, insignificant, or barely passable (the frogs) in the big world (the pond). It means people who are actually not that talented if compared to others or those who think they are good, but once they are forced out of their comfort zone, are actually not that great.
This phrase is highly offensive in Asian cultures and is only used when looking down on someone. Many found it rude for Hongseok to say that, regardless if they are friends or colleagues.
To add insult to injury, Hongseok said, "To be honest, our 'Asteroid' is a little better."
When netizens caught wind of the comments made by Hongseok, many were outraged by his cocky behavior. Some netizens commented that he has been an idol for four years, and now, he should know what should be said and what shouldn't. Others also noted that he has had scandals even before his debut and that he should have learned by now.
Online users said that Hongseok is known among Korean netizens as an idol who got embroiled in several controversies, so he should know better than make such comments.
In a statement to Sports Kyunghyan on June 16, Tuesday, a CUBE Entertainment official addressed the comments, saying, "We will confirm the facts and announce our stance later."
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