Ever since the debut of BTS's V, the idol has consistently drawn attention for his unparalleled visuals. In the world of K-pop, comparisons are inevitable, particularly when a newcomer bears a resemblance to an established star.
Prior to his official debut, WAKER's Kwon Hyeop gained notoriety for sharing a striking similarity with BTS's V, evident in pre-debut photos circulating online.
Adorable Revelations on Social Media
Recently, Kwon Hyeop shared endearing content on his social media platforms, showcasing both his image and charm through images and videos.
😶 > 😤#WAKER #웨이커 #ウェイカー#권협 #KWONHYEOP #クォンヒョプ pic.twitter.com/TX1IuknHe1
— WAKER (@WAKER_official) January 22, 2024
READ ALSO: Rookie Idol Draws Attention for Looking Like BLACKPINK Jisoo and Red Velvet Irene
Toxic Backlash Unleashed
However, what should have been a moment of self-expression turned dark when toxic comments flooded in, targeting the young idol.
Some netizens went as far as making derogatory remarks and "joking" about Kwon Hyeop undertaking V's military enlistment.
Netizens Rally in Support
As the offensive tweets gained visibility, a swift reaction unfolded within the online community. Netizens, appalled by the toxic comments, quickly rallied to Kwon Hyeop's defense.
Comments poured in, condemning the pettiness of fans who directed "hate" toward the budding idol solely because of his resemblance t
Can we not harass and accuse idols of "stealing" another idols persona/ personality just because the resemble eachother?? The shit is elementary, stfu and grow the fuck up. https://t.co/1CFfVLnDea
— ೃChuu⁀bee⁀➷⁸ (@_Chuubee) January 24, 2024
o V.
"let's get you on a 16 month trip" some of yall are disgusting because harrasing a nugu idol just because he looks like your fav https://t.co/K1dbTLHV1w pic.twitter.com/T1E6Oaa80k
— suster ngesot (@matildreen) January 24, 2024
I miss the days when people thought in their mind “oh they look similar” and then went about their day without it turning into straight up harassment 🚶 https://t.co/BDKGo57Yyj
— soo 🗞️ wooseok’s #1 fan (@wooseokmingi) January 24, 2024
What the hell is wrong with y'all on these qrts? Talking about some "lemme take you on a trip for 16 months" and "I got someone you'd be a great replacement for in the army." Can you all SHUT THE FUCK UP & stop being so damn weird to this man? https://t.co/TixAAD5VrD pic.twitter.com/OISlMzN276
— lisey⁷₈ ∞ 🍉 (@borandfauna) January 24, 2024
The argument emphasized that the similarity was beyond Kwon Hyeop's control and should not become a basis for targeted harassment. While not all netizens exhibited negativity, a substantial number embraced Kwon Hyeop warmly due to his resemblance to V.
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Written by Cassidy Jones.