On Saturday, Jan. 23, BTOB held their first online concert, "2021 BTOB 4U ONLINE CONCERT [INSIDE]", which consisted of the group's active four members, Seo Eunkwang, Lee Minhyuk, Lee Changsub, and Peniel. Throughout the concert, the members continued to hit that BTOB is seven members. This caused negative reactions from the public. Keep on reading to learn why.
Currently, BTOB Is promoting as a sub-unit, BTOB 4U, consisting of the members who are have finished (or in Peniel's case, did not have to) partake in their mandatory military enlistment. Currently, members Yook Sungjae and Im Hyunsik are completing their mandatory military services.
Jung Ilhoon left the group and CUBE Entertainment in Dec. 2020 after it was found that he had smoked marijuana recreationally, which is illegal in South Korea. According to reports, traces of marijuana as detected through a hair sample drug test, which led to investigations against the idol. The idol confessed that he habitually smoked the drug during the police investigation. Jung Ilhon was revealed to be a user of the drug after someone from a group of people that was arrested for trading virtual currency for drugs confessed to the police that he was someone who purchased weed.
RELATED: BTOB Jung Ilhoon Revealed to Have Spent over $90K on Marijuana
During the concert, the four members of the group made numerous references to the other members of the group, including Jung Ilhoon. Throughout the show, Lee Changsub is often seen holding up seven figures, referencing the seven members of the group, despite how the current official line-up of the group only consists of six members.
During Seo Eunkwang's speech, he also tearfully mentioned that he believes "BTOB is forever". As he was doing so, Lee Changsub had his fingers up, showing seven fingers.
그래요 비투비는 영원하다고 생각을 해서 pic.twitter.com/MQF5FXpR1i
— 한이☁️ (@tobnyava) January 23, 2021
At one moment, Lee Changsub is also seen asking "Are you watching?", to which fans assumed that he was asking the other three BTOB members who were not performing with them. He is also seen with seven fingers up.
After the show, the members posed for a group photo, which was shared with their Instagram Stories. In the photo, Lee Changsub and Peniel are both seen holding up seven fingers, another reference to BTOB's original seven-member line-up.
Additionally, Lee Changsub made a separate post following the concert that reads, "Melodies who saw the concert today, thank you. I hope you all had a good evening. Also, I hope you guys are happy. I have, do, ad always will love you. We will all be together forever."
However, the actions of Lee Changsub and Peniel showing off seven fingers to reference OT7 did not sit well with the public. While many agreed that Yook Sungjae and Im Hyunsik are definitely still part of BTOB, Jung Ilhoon should no longer be mentioned as part of the group. In South Korea, the mention of marijuana is taboo and is illegal for recreational use. When people are found guilty of partaking in the usage of the drug, they are highly criticized and often retire from the entertainment industry.
People slammed the two for defending Jung Ilhoon despite his drug controversy. People think that they are being insensitive to the fans who were greatly affected by the scandal. Others are saying that they are making themselves and BTOB look bad by prioritizing their friendship with Jung Ilhoon over their reputation and fans. Some even said that Yook Sungjae should love the group to save his image.
What do you think of the situation?
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Written by Alexa Lewis
