In-person fan sign events have largely returned following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. However, video fan calls remain popular as they allow international fans to interact directly with their favorite idols. While these moments often lead to heartwarming or funny clips shared online, some recent fan calls have sparked criticism due to awkward or inappropriate behavior from participants.
One particular video call involving Mingyu gained widespread attention after a fan made a questionable request during SEVENTEEN’s “God of Music” promotional period.
At the beginning of the call, the fan asked Mingyu if he would give her a Christmas present. Curious about what she wanted, Mingyu asked her to elaborate. Instead of a typical request, the fan asked the idol to show his abs.
Mingyu initially laughed at the unexpected request but quickly made his stance clear. Smiling, he politely but firmly refused, saying that it was not something he would do.
When the fan attempted to continue questioning him, Mingyu ended the call, leaving her visibly surprised. In the clip, he can be heard jokingly saying, “You’re really funny. That’s a no. Bye,” before disconnecting.
Although a staff member could also be heard saying that the call time was up, many viewers noticed that the conversation ended more abruptly than usual. This led fans to believe that Mingyu deliberately chose to cut the interaction short rather than continue with a request that made him uncomfortable.
The moment quickly spread across social media, with many fans praising Mingyu for handling the situation calmly while also protecting his personal boundaries.
For years, fans have expressed concern about idols being placed in uncomfortable situations during fan calls and hoped that artists would feel empowered to end interactions when necessary. Mingyu’s response was widely viewed as an example of how idols can maintain professionalism while still standing up for themselves.
Sources: Koreaboo