SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu is caught in a viral controversy after his “ideal type” comments set off a heated debate online—so much so that producers later deleted the segment.
Rapper Lee Young-ji’s YouTube channel recently uploaded a video featuring SEVENTEEN’s Mingyu and The8.
In the clip, the two were asked about their ideal types. Mingyu explained his standard through how a partner approaches their work. He said, “Not just someone who works because they have to, but someone who does it because it’s fun. Someone who enjoys giving their best,” adding, “For example, not someone who goes to work saying, ‘Ugh, I’m dying here,’ but someone who says, ‘Let’s do this right today.’”
After the video dropped, some netizens blasted the remarks as coming from a place of privilege. Comments included, “What would someone who’s never lived a regular office life know?”, “He’s oversimplifying it,” “Would work feel ‘fun’ if you lived on an average salary?”, and “Sounds like someone who’s never really worked.”
Others defended him, arguing that “Mingyu’s words are being twisted.” Fans said that, given his well-known positive personality, he was simply expressing a preference for someone with an upbeat outlook on life.
As the discourse escalated online, the production team removed the portion containing Mingyu’s remarks.
Meanwhile, SEVENTEEN has stayed highly active since their 2015 debut.