Shocking: A new wave of alleged links to the far-right online community Ilgan Best (Ilbe) is sweeping K-pop, with agencies scrambling to explain. The latest flashpoint is rookie group IDID member Kim Min-jae, who debuted last September.
Recently, Kim Min-jae uploaded a video shot upside down on the platform Setlog, along with the phrase “kkeut daemu,” which appeared to mean “end of stage.” He later posted on a fan platform, writing, “Iya!! (meaning I’m feeling good).”
Some netizens argued that releasing an inverted video at 7 p.m. and using expressions like “iya” echoed a meme from Ilbe that mocks the late former President Roh Moo-hyun.
As the controversy grew, his agency explained, “During monitoring, we confirmed the video had been recorded in reverse, but we decided it still felt like a natural part of the content and used it as is. The captions and text in the clip were simply flipped during editing to match the upside-down format and carry no specific meaning or intent.” Regarding “iya,” they added, “It was used as a general exclamation; we were unaware that the expression appears on a particular site.”
Despite the swift statement, many fans reacted by saying, “Ilbe controversies in K-pop—same explanations, same cycle.”
Earlier, Hyomin, formerly of T-ara, faced similar accusations of using Ilbe-linked terms and issued an explanation. In 2023, she posted everyday photos on Instagram with the caption, “Got inspired after watching the mumu show yesterday. My skirt is already short, but should it be even shorter, igi,” prompting backlash over the use of “~no” and “igi,” speech patterns known to be used on Ilbe to demean former President Roh.
Hyomin later said, “I thought it was dialect with a meaning similar to ‘What is this 129.’ I will be extra careful from now on.”
Girl group Crayon Pop also issued an official explanation during an Ilbe controversy. Back in 2012, they wrote on X (then Twitter), “You all were nomu-nomu cool today, right? I’m jealous of your fashion. Thank you, thank you again to our super cute fans.” The phrase “nomu-nomu” became a problem, as it has been used to belittle former President Roh.
The head of Crayon Pop’s agency quickly clarified, “It’s true we accessed Ilbe, but it was for gathering information on concepts, timing, trends, opinions, and reactions—not to push an agenda or stir up conflict on a specific site.” Emphasizing that the group was brand-new at the time, they added, “We were just taking our first baby steps—there was no room to scheme or incite anything.”
This issue isn’t limited to the music industry. Actor Choi Woo-shik also faced backlash around the same time for making a peculiar hand gesture.
With controversies tied to select communities continuing to surface across K-ent, fans are expressing frustration at the never-ending cycle.