ILLIT Moka Compared to Sakura After Live Encore: 'Why Are Japanese Idols Like This?'

ILLIT Moka drew attention for her "frustrating" live vocals. K-netz then compared her to LE SSERAFIM Sakura.

On April 2, ILLIT proved their "rookie monster" status after achieving their first music show win in just 8 days since debut. But when the girl group sang live during their encore stage, fans were disappointed and began questioning the group's singing abilities.

ILLIT Moka Raises Brows for Live Vocals

In the music show culture, the 1st place winner is expected to perform an encore stage and jam along with their fans, also doing their celebratory rituals and gestures.

This segment isn't just about having fun only. An artist's encore stage is a huge factor in determining idol's live singing skills.

Thus, when ILLIT sang their debut track, "MAGNETIC," which currently dominates various music platforms, fans shook their heads in disbelief after hearing the live performance of the members.

While Minju and Yunah were praised for their stability, Japanese member Moka raised brows as she showed a "disappointing" outcome.

On Nate Pann, K-netizens questioned how Moka couldn't hit the notes properly when they were just singing and not even dancing.

Naturally, fans defended the rookie star and explained that it was because she was crying that she wasn't able to give her best.

However, listening to the other members like Minju, who was also in tears, she was able to deliver good results. People also claimed that Moka is "tone deaf."

ILLIT Moka Compared to LE SSERAFIM Sakura

As the criticism of Moka continued, Nate Pann users also dragged LE SSERAFIM Sakura to the encore live singing issue, questioning why most Japanese idols can't sing live.

Sakura was also criticized earlier for her live vocals during the "Easy" encore stage. People were upset at her for not improving despite debuting for the second time as a K-pop idol.

K-Netz then agreed and criticized the Japanese stars that if they couldn't sing, they should just be backup dancers. Some even claimed that they are ruining K-pop, claiming that even Chinese and Thai idols aren't as bad.

• "Should the Japanese girls just be backup dancers? How can they put them in when they can't rap or sing? Japanese girls' skills are terrible..."
• "It seems like Japanese idols really don't have singing skills in their genes. As they are recruiting more Japanese members, the average K-pop skill level is getting lower... I wish they would stop picking them."
• "Japanese kids are ruining K-pop."
• "A lot of the Chinese and Thai members are good at singing, but why are the Japanese members like this?"

• "But there isn't a single Japanese member who is really good at singing. Even if you look at all the small and medium-sized girl groups, there isn't a single one. There are quite a few guys who are good at rapping."
• "When Japanese people speak, their nasal sounds are not noticeable, so why do their nasal sounds become louder only when they sing?"
• "I liked Moka because she was cute, but I was very disappointed after hearing the encore. She couldn't make a sound at all... Is it really because she was crying?"

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Written by Eunice Dela Cruz