LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE’s Innocent Snap Ignites Fan Wars with NewJeans Loyalists: Group Photo or Power Play?

A seemingly harmless group photo has unexpectedly turned into a lightning rod for online controversy. A viral post on theqoo titled, “LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE’s group photo seems to have seriously rubbed some NewJeans fans the wrong way…,” drew huge attention online.

Following LE SSERAFIM‘s concert, junior groups ILLIT and KATSEYE were invited as guests and naturally posed for a commemorative photo with the main act, something normal in the K-pop industry. But instead of praise or celebration, the image has triggered intense criticism from some corners of the NewJeans fandom.

LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE’s Innocent Snap

The photo was shared by Bang Si-hyuk, who is well-known for attending performances by artists under his label and often posting group snapshots as a form of support and pride. Even amid the ongoing dispute with NewJeans and ADOR, Bang has continued this tradition.

But this time, some NewJeans fans took offense. While many posts outwardly criticize Bang Si Hyuk for the optics, a significant number shift the focus onto the girl groups in the photo. Criticisms range from passive-aggressive to outright harsh, with some international NewJeans fan accounts accused of sexualizing or harassing the female idols involved. These tweets, filled with inappropriate language and heavy retweet activity, have been widely condemned by other K-pop communities.

Fans Spotted “Double Standard”

What’s particularly striking is the double standard fans have pointed out: Bang has taken countless photos with male idols without incident, yet a single photo with female idols triggered disproportionate outrage. Fans of LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, and KATSEYE were left confused, with many saying they didn’t even share the photo themselves. In fact, some cropped Bang Si Hyuk out or chose not to repost it at all.

Meanwhile, some NewJeans fans expressed confusion within their own circles, unsure whether to be upset about the group not being invited or simply to distance themselves from the entire drama. Adding to the irony, NewJeans didn’t attend LE SSERAFIM’s 2023 concert either, and inviting them amid current tensions would have been unrealistic.

Netizens’ Reactions

While most fans agree that the drama is largely the result of a few bad actors, it’s once again a clear example of how K-pop fandoms can spiral over minor moments.

Comment on theqoo:

1. Why are they getting upset? They’re the ones who said they didn’t like it and filed a lawsuit to leave. If they wanted to be included, they should’ve stayed active.
2. Anyway, Bang Si-hyuk, don’t come to the concert. Even if you do, just watch quietly. Ugh, seriously, stop taking so many damn pictures. So annoying.
3. It’s just pitiful, really. I mean, who told them to leave in the first place? And why are they getting so bothered now? They’ve always said they didn’t want anything to do with HYBE anyway.
4. They’ve been doing the same thing for a year, but it doesn’t work anymore.
5. Ah, but this is kind of funny—how are people even comparing when NewJeans hasn’t even held a concert? They ran off before getting to that point

For now, the idols in the photo remain silent, as is typical in such cases, leaving fans to either de-escalate or add more fuel to the fire.