Rising HYBE girl group KATSEYE is under fire as fans accuse members of making racially insensitive remarks during a recent anecdote shared by Yoonchae in a solo livestream.
The issue erupted after Yoonchae shared a seemingly innocent story involving her struggle to understand the word “lottery.” While passing a shiny store at an airport, she asked her fellow members what “lottery” meant—only to be met with confusion and a controversial response.
According to Yoonchae, Daniela appeared surprised at her question. But it was Sophia’s comment that triggered backlash: “She probably knows if you say it with a Korean accent.”
She laughed while adding that another member then said the word “lottery” with a Konglish (Korean-English) pronunciation, which finally helped Yoonchae recognize it as the English version of “lotto.”
While Yoonchae appeared to share the moment with good humor, a growing number of viewers felt the joke crossed a line—perceiving it as mocking her English skills and, more seriously, borderline racist.
On platforms like X and TikTok, fans are torn. Some defend the members, saying it was an inside joke and that Konglish is commonly referenced in light-hearted ways among K-Pop idols.
Others, however, argue that such comments perpetuate subtle xenophobia within multicultural groups, especially when directed at a fellow non-native English speaker like Yoonchae.
One user wrote: “It’s always the Korean line making fun of global members until it’s too late.”
Another added: “Mocking someone’s accent is just not it—especially in a global group meant to promote inclusivity.”
This incident has reopened ongoing concerns about the internal dynamics of multinational K-Pop groups, especially under large labels like HYBE, where cultural differences can easily become flashpoints.
While no official statement has been made by HYBE or the members involved, fans are watching closely to see how the group and agency handle the fallout.
Sources: Koreaboo