WayV Kun and Xiaojun - the new and first-ever WayV sub-unit - were met with mixed feedback after their appearance on Korean music show Show Champion. This is after they sang their single "Back to You" entirely in Chinese, drawing various reactions from Korean viewers.
WayV Kun and Xiaojun are Chinese Idols, But Is It Wrong to Sing in Chinese on Korean Broadcast?
WayV is a Chinese idol group under SM Entertainment who debuted as a sub-group under the umbrella NCT. The group is comprised of Kun, Ten, Winwin, Lucas, Xiaojun, Yangyang, and Hendery, who are from China, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Recently, its members Kun and Xiaojun were introduced as members of the first WayV sub-unit as they performed on the Korean music show, MBC's Show Champion.
The duo initially received lots of love and attention from their fans, particularly from NCTzens and Wayzennies (NCT and WayV fan bases).
During the broadcast, the singers impressed the viewers with their vocals for their debut single, "Back to You." Everything was going smoothly - not until several Korean internet users raised concerns over them singing fully in Chinese.
Netizen A, who raised the issue, said, "A Chinese idol named WayV came out on a Korean music show (Show Champion) and sang in Chinese. The Chinese group has no will or sincerity to translate into Korean while appearing on Korean broadcasts. The agency is also SM Entertainment. They think Korea is easy."
They pointed out the group's lack of sincerity in singing Korean on a domestic music show.
According to them, the group and the agency are using Koreans to gain global recognition, given the influence of K-pop around the world.
The previous tension between China and Korea related to Hallyu ban was also brought up. Recalling, Korean artists' promotions and content in China were banned until 2017. Some internet users commented that Chinese idols are crossing the line by singing Chinese only in Korea.
Soon enough, plenty of online users agreed and left an array of comments, such as "Is it Korea that can't broadcast even with a single line of Japanese lyrics?" "I doubted my ears because I heard Chinese, " "You're not going to say K-pop is Chinese at this rate," and "Chinese idols sing only in Chinese in Korea. Do you think Korea is easy?"
On the flip side, fans jumped to the sub-unit's defense, stating that they are Chinese Idols and that makes it not weird for them to sing in Chinese. Others also reiterated that other K-pop groups sing in other foreign languages like English, but they didn't receive they same amount of criticisms while performing on Korean broadcasts.
ALSO READ: WayV Slammed for Promoting Chinese Song on Korean Music Shows
Kun and Xiaojun Debut as the First WayV Sub-Unit with "Back To You"
On June 16, WayV Kun and Xiaojun's single "Back To You" was released on various global music platforms at 6 p.m. on June 16.
''Back To You" is a ballad song that combines lyrical piano melodies, Kun and Xiaojun's mellow vocals, and the lyrics describe the feelings of love that withers and burns over time, and eventually becomes love and shines brightly.
READ MORE: WayV Xiaojun and Kun to Debut as Group's First Sub-Unit with Single Album
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Written by Eunice Dawson
