On various online Korean community sites, rumored SM Entertainment trainee Yoo Jimin is currently facing backlash due to allegations of speaking ill about K-pop idols including EXO Kai, BTS RM and Jimin, as well as the newly-announced NCT members Sungchan and Shotaro.
The issue started when an account, who claimed to be an acquaintance and friends of the rumored trainee, posted alleged conversations with Yoo Jimin.
In the said conversation, which is not yet confirmed if real or not, Jimin was venting out her stress and uncertainties to her friend and talked about SM Entertainment. In her message, the said trainee revealed the agency's plan of debuting two new NCT members, Sungchan and Japanese member Shotaro.
"And what's making it worse is that they are not even good-looking. I really feel down, they are not giving me anything. [...] I should have gone auditioning at Big Hit instead," she continues as she expresses her anger and reminded the "friend" to delete the conversation as soon as she's done reading it.
As the conversation goes on, the alleged Yoo Jimin in the message continues talking about SM Entertainment artists and conveyed her frustrations about the current events.
"I am actually worried. EXO is not that popular as they are before, and NCT is not doing that well. I really should've auditioned for Big Hit or YG rather."
When the friend then asked if she wants to go to Big Hit as BTS is doing so well, the trainee said, "Initially, I didn't like BTS because they are ugly." The alleged Jimin's friend confirmed then that they used to call BTS Jimin and RM "ugly."
The conversation ended with Jimin telling the friend to leave if she doesn't want to listen, as she got several friends who can substitute for her. Thus, K-netizens think this could be the reason that the user reveals the alleged conversation with Yoo Jimin.
Following the conversation, fans and netizens have divided opinions about the controversy.
Most of the fans of rumored SM's New Girl Group (SMNGG) are calling out haters to stop spreading such a conversation that is said to be fake and propaganda by bashers to attack Yoo Jimin and destroy her image.
In particular, Yoo Jimin appeared at SHINee's Taemin "Want" as a featured dancer. Since then, K-netizens and K-pop enthusiasts were captured by her stunning visuals, as well as her amazing skills at dancing.
Based on netizens, she could possibly be a trainee of SM Entertainment, that's why her actions and activities are closely monitored by waiting fans.
However, this is not the first time that Yoo Jimin was caught in controversy as according to a fan on a Korean community, she called EXO Kai "ugly" as well during a commercial photoshoot where they worked together, the reason why Korean EXO-Ls canceled her for her rude attitude.
Several fans of Yoo Jimin strongly believed that until there is no official statement from SM Entertainment addressing these issues, and there are no strong and legit proofs, they will protect her at all costs.
In addition to this, people claiming to know Jimin are testifying that she's actually kind and helpful, the opposite character people are referring her to be.
On the other hand, the reason why K-netizens and other K-pop fans are agreeing that the conversations could be real is because of the information she's leaking prior to the formal announcements.
