K-Netz Defend ILLIT From Hate Following AKARAKA Performance

Following their performance at AKARAKA, Korean netizens are defending ILLIT as the girl group is bombarded with hate comments.

On May 25, 2024, ILLIT stepped out as the second performers for Yonsei University's annual music festival, AKARAKA. Soon after the performance, ILLIT garnered massive hate from internet users, who slammed the girl group for lip-syncing.

Many claimed that they ruined the mood at the festival, noting that other artists in the line-up were well-loved and well-received, such as DAY6, aespa, (G)I-DLE, and BIGBANG's Taeyang. Many wondered why Yonsei University would invite idols who have been proven to lip-sync during their performance.

The hate against ILLIT is immense right now. After Min Hee Jin accused BELIFT Lab and HYBE Labels of copying NewJeans's formula for ILLIT's debut, the girl group has been under scrutiny for all their actions. They have been nicknamed an imitation group, even though Min Hee Jin has stated the accusations are not against the members but the companies involved.

Amid the hate, several Korean netizens have stood up to defend the girl group. Many are cheering the members on, while also calling out those who hate ILLIT just because they are from HYBE. They claimed that people who took the time to hate ILLIT, a group where a large number of members are minors, are losers.

It was also noted that the reactions of the audience at Yonsei University were positive. In fan cams, the cheers of the crowd can be heard, with many loving ILLIT's performance of their hit song "Magnetic."

Some comments read,

• "ILLIT, fighting!"
• "They destroyed the mood."
• "Wow, these fake singers are getting paid to 'sing.'"
• "People on TheQoo are seriously losers."
• "Wow, you guys are losers. How do you feel hating on young girls like this?"
• "Why are people on TheQoo so mean?"
• "Seriously, cut it down already. At this rate, you guys are just hating on anyone from HYBE."
• "Did Yonsei University lose their touch? Why are they inviting singers who just lip-sync?"
• "This is a win for Korea University."
• "The reactions they got are f*cking good, though."

In other news, ILLIT was named the face of the French cosmetics brand Bioderma in May 2024. That same month, Wonhee was named the new model for the Japanese sports drink Pocari Sweat.

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Written by Alexa Lopez