After Lucas released his documentary and hinted at his return, K-pop fans expressed their frustration, comparing how SM treated him versus other artists like Irene, WayV, and Seunghan.
On February 24, former NCT and WayV Lucas expressed his true feelings about his gaslighting, cheating, manipulation issues he faced in 2021.
Through the documentary film, "Freeze (Part 1)," uploaded on his YouTube channel, the idol opened up on what he did during his hiatus and confessed how the accusation changed his views in life.
Lucas Hints at Solo Comeback After Privacy Controversy
In the docu, Lucas shared topics about his reflection period after being embroiled in the controversy.
"I used to be quite the aggressive type. I didn't know I was just a big fish in a small pond back in the day. I acted as if I knew everything. Now, I try to listen to others more. I don't talk much about myself. The reason my personality and my thoughts changed is mainly because of that incident."
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He continued:
"I stayed only in my room for about 6 months. I didn't want to do anything. I had a lot of thoughts. In all seriousness, my hair kept falling out. When I went like this, so much hair got pulled out. I didn't even eat properly because I had no appetite.
It's so complicated, seriously. I had terrible thoughts, I was so sorry I wanted to die because honestly, it was all my fault. Had I not done that, this wouldn't have happened."
As the documentary went on, Lucas shared about his plans after reflection, and hinted at his solo comeback after leaving NCT and WayV.
"I've had a hard time over the past two years, I've thought about many things, but I don't want to keep living like this. I want to keep working hard. I want to try hard.
I haven't been active for a long time, so I wonder if I will have fans again. No matter what they say, they are my driving force. Since I haven't seen them in a long time, I'm a bit worried."
International Fans Raise Brows After SM Hinted at Lucas Comeback, Compare His Situation to Irene, Sungchan, & WayV
Upon upload, the film amassed over 1.2M views as of writing, receiving massive cheers from his supporters.
jessica was removed from snsd for wanting to design and sell sunglasses, not to long ago a riize member was seated from the group for having a regular teenage life before debut but https://t.co/ILZ0swZklm
— edm dj dolly (@dawllyana) February 23, 2024
However, major backlash also poured in, and fans mentioned other SM idols who had to stop working because of their past controversies.
RIIZE Seunghan got widely mentioned, with fans feeling disappointed that Lucas was given a second chance even amid controversies of gaslighting, cheating, and manipulating his multiple girlfriends, while Seunghan whose photos of dating his past girlfriend were leaked, was hugely ostracized.
People described Lucas as a "predator," and defended Seunghan as a teenager who was just living a normal teenage life. And yet, his future was ruined in his early career.
irene apologised even before word got out, she apologised 4 times, got defended by 60+ staff members meanwhile the stylist wrote love poems about her in 2015 and is now getting scammed by her own relatives.
— rain (@redfl4vour) February 25, 2024
if you want to play moral police go hop on her gofund me! https://t.co/2tdA5BnLZY pic.twitter.com/WALAIq0fWb
Irene still gets called evil & a wicked woman for telling someone to do their job. Chanyeol still gets asked to leave the group if he does anything. Chen and his family get harassed but yeah let’s give someone who’s actually terrible a redemption arc…
— m ☆ 🍀 (@seulgicide) February 24, 2024
it’s crazy how this company made irene post a black out instagram square to apologize for yelling at staff (not saying she was in the right) but a man can admit to sexually assaulting ppl and they make a whole documentary about how he’s a victim of hate lol
— jay sherman (@funkyboymv) February 24, 2024
Fans were also mad at Lucas' fans for defending him despite admitting what he did and mentioned the double standard in K-pop with Red Velvet Irene who is continuously being haunted by her attitude controversy despite bowing her head multiple times.
Lastly, WayZenNies raised their brows at how Lucas was given more attention and music opportunities, without being apologetic to WayV, NCT's China-based sub-unit who had to suffer a career break because of his issue.
this feels unreal. i want to know so bad why sm gives him this opportunity to have an entire documentary, why is he SO important to sm when others have been kicked and forgotten about? what importance really was he to be given multiple chances?? im confused https://t.co/k3pHiJ8yio
— gossiper (@dejunslay) February 24, 2024
wayv were inactive for almost 2 entire years. YEARS. the group suffered extreme loss in their careers because of someone that made mistakes, but they have been silenced and told us they can’t talk about things since 2021. where is their input? why do they not get to speak up?
— gossiper (@dejunslay) February 24, 2024
As it was the time when they were still rising in the music scene, the idol's controversy affected them so much that they weren't able to reach their career "peak," Due to hiatus, they were overshadowed by newer artists.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
READ MORE: Lucas Shocks the Internet with Game-Changing Instagram Post — 'I really cried, for...'
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Written by Eunice Dawson.
