Times K-Pop Idols Said Sorry… for Literally Nothing

Whether it’s apologizing for gaining a few pounds or saying “sorry” for being too addictive, these K-pop idols have shown that their hearts are sometimes just too pure, leading to some of the most unnecessary apologies in K-pop history.

Table of Contents

• 1. The “Cheer Up” Controversy: KickFlip
• 2. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Under Fire for Quick Solo Rollout
• 3. ZEROBASEONE’s Gyuvin – Backlash Over “Louder Than a Concert”
• 4. NJZ’s Minji and the “Kalguksu” Question
• 5. STAYC’s J Apologizes for Weight Changes
• 6. KISS OF LIFE’s Belle and Yeonjun’s “GGUM” Challenge
• Conclusion: A Reminder to Be Kinder

1. The “Cheer Up” Controversy: KickFlip

Starting with the most recent incident, the K-pop industry’s strict “respect your senior’s songs” culture once again became an unnecessary controversy, turning harmless comments into headline news. On January 31st of this year, JYP Entertainment’s rookie boy group KickFlip held a 41-minute YouTube livestream from their practice room. Everything was normal at first, with the members chatting and answering fan comments. But toward the end, they brought up their recent appearance on the show Idol Radio.

They recalled struggling to perfectly dance to TWICE’s “Cheer Up” choreography during a “Guess The Song” game. The members admitted they had been underprepared, explaining that the songs were randomly chosen and nerves got the best of them. Apologizing repeatedly, they took responsibility for not knowing what they felt they “should have known,” even promising to re-do the covers after the stream.

However, once the livestream ended, the situation drew backlash—but not toward KickFlip. Fans instead slammed JYP Entertainment for making the group apologize for what they deemed “baseless hate,” and they also called out a minority of extreme TWICE supporters for being too harsh on the rookies. Some speculated it was a marketing stunt, though others argued that if that were true, it was a bad idea. One particular comment summarized the frustration: “JYPE has decades of industry experience, but they always overreact, force their idols to apologize, and create unnecessary controversies.”

Meanwhile, most fans defended KickFlip, noting that “Cheer Up” is nearly nine years old and the rookies were just kids when it came out—making the apology feel completely unnecessary.

2. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo Under Fire for Quick Solo Rollout

It’s not just rookie groups facing pressure to apologize. Even global superstars like BLACKPINK have experienced it. As we all know, BLACKPINK members had been busy with their solo projects, but Jisoo, in particular, had not released any solo music after leaving YG Entertainment. Because she’d been focusing on her acting career, starring in multiple dramas, some fans grew frustrated by the lack of updates on her music, leading to criticism over her music career.

When reports surfaced that Jisoo was preparing for a solo comeback, fans were excited. This was confirmed on January 21 with teaser images and a “Coming Soon” message for her mini album titled “Amortage.” While many fans celebrated, others complained about the lack of promotion and details so close to the release date. Critics questioned the short 20-day promotion period, suggesting it would be better to drop a single on February 14 and the full album later. Some even joked that the last-minute rollout was more disorganized than her former agency, YG.

This negativity reached Jisoo, prompting her to respond on a fan-chat platform, reassuring fans and apologizing: “I wanted to show you different things as soon as possible, but I also wanted to show it perfectly… So I ended up taking my time.” Fans quickly defended her, emphasizing that Jisoo is an artist who simply follows her own pace and passion. They felt the apology was unnecessary—she shouldn’t feel compelled to chase charts or meet unrealistic expectations just to appease certain fans or critics.

3. ZEROBASEONE’s Gyuvin – Backlash Over “Louder Than a Concert”

Most recently, in February 2025, ZEROBASEONE’s Gyuvin became the subject of unexpected controversy after appearing on the variety show School Attack at Jinseon Girls’ High School. The show, known for surprise idol visits, was meant to create a fun experience. However, a seemingly harmless comment from Gyuvin sparked a wave of backlash.

While interacting with the students, Gyuvin remarked that their cheers were “louder than a concert.” Though his words seemed innocent, some fans took offense, believing he was downplaying actual concert audiences. Criticism escalated online, and Gyuvin ended up apologizing through a fan communication app, explaining he only intended to compliment the enthusiastic students.

This time, many Korean netizens were on his side, feeling the backlash was overblown. Comments like “I feel so bad for idols land that time is right now” captured the sentiment that K-pop stars can’t catch a break, even when they have the best intentions.

4. NJZ’s Minji and the “Kalguksu” Question

Apologies can get even more ridiculous. NJZ’s Minji apologized simply because she didn’t know a popular local dish. During a 2023 broadcast with streamer ChimChakMan, Minji and her group members were chatting about noodles when she muttered in Korean, “What is kalguksu?” For those unfamiliar, kalguksu is a traditional Korean noodle soup, widely available throughout the country. Because it’s so common, Minji’s innocent question shocked some viewers.

What began as mild confusion quickly morphed into harsh criticism online. Some netizens accused her of “pretending to be a rich girl” or pushing an image of someone who studied abroad. They questioned how a person from Gangwon-do could not know such a common dish. The backlash soon escalated, with critics scrutinizing Minji’s every move. After the negativity worsened, Minji addressed the situation in a January 2, 2024 livestream, visibly irritated by the harsh remarks. Some watchers felt her defensive tone was rude, only fueling further criticism. Even fellow member Hanni tried to intervene to diffuse tension, but trolls continued to attack Minji.

Eventually, she posted an apology letter on a fan community platform. In it, she confessed that she’s a picky eater and had never personally tasted kalguksu, though she had heard of it. She said her offhand remark was more about wondering what it tasted like, not that she’d never heard of the dish at all. Fans were furious she felt pressured to explain or apologize, labeling the entire fiasco nonsensical. “Just because she didn’t know a food or had a ‘tone,’ you have to harass her for a whole year?” was a typical reaction from outraged supporters.

5. STAYC’s J Apologizes for Weight Changes

An idol’s physical appearance has always been a topic of interest, but in recent months it escalated to a point where an idol felt compelled to apologize for gaining a small amount of weight. Jang Ye Eun, known as J from STAYC, drew attention after appearing somewhat curvier during several live performances.

Later, J addressed the situation on Bubble, posting a heartfelt yet surprising message. She talked about completing her workout and expressed regret over her “recent weight gain.” She candidly shared that she watched a fan-cam of herself and felt she hadn’t cared for her body properly. Although she planned to approach any changes gradually, the fact she felt the need to apologize upset fans.

Online forums had already made her weight a frequent subject of gossip. Yet fans consider J one of the most beautiful artists in the industry. They insisted she should never have to say sorry for a natural change in her body. One fan wrote, “The apology culture is terrible.” Many fans admired her honesty but urged her to prioritize her health and well-being instead of caving to harsh societal expectations.

6. KISS OF LIFE’s Belle and Yeonjun’s “GGUM” Challenge

Another idol found herself in trouble over something harmless. KISS OF LIFE’s Belle faced backlash from some TXT fans after she covered Yeonjun’s “GGUM” challenge at a mini-fan meeting. The segment was designed to be playful, with members trying tasks they’d typically avoid. However, Belle’s nervous laughter and a quick scream made some interpret her reaction as “disrespectful” or “not wanting to do it.” A fan-captured video soon circulated with a mocking caption, and the criticism spread online.

The next day, Belle addressed the issue on a subscription platform, apologizing. She explained that she felt shy because she hadn’t properly learned the choreography and was teased by her members, leaving her feeling embarrassed during the performance. She reassured fans that KISS OF LIFE genuinely loved Yeonjun’s song, and they’d considered doing the challenge properly in the future. Nonetheless, she offered a sincere apology for any misunderstanding, vowing that she “didn’t mean it that way” and promising to practice the dance again.

Supporters rallied behind Belle, calling the backlash completely unwarranted. They noted her “awkwardness” stemmed from being nervous, not from disrespect. Many pointed out that other KISS OF LIFE members had shown interest in the “GGUM” challenge, suggesting it was all in good fun from the start.

Conclusion: A Reminder to Be Kinder

These are just a handful of examples, but the list of unnecessary apologies from idols continues to grow, highlighting the immense pressure that comes with life in the K-pop spotlight. Whether it’s about not knowing a local dish, messing up choreography, or gaining a bit of weight, these moments demonstrate how minimal “missteps” can balloon into controversies—forcing idols to apologize for almost nothing.

The bigger question is: Why do we continue to push them to these lengths? While K-pop is known for its polished image and stringent expectations, it’s also built on the loyalty and support of fans worldwide. Perhaps it’s time we collectively ease up on the unrealistic standards and let artists be human. If we do, maybe we won’t see so many heartfelt, but unnecessary, apologies in the future.

Ultimately, these stories serve as a reminder that idols—and all celebrities, really—are people with real feelings, insecurities, and day-to-day struggles. So the next time you see an idol issuing an apology for something trivial, consider whether the situation truly warrants an apology—or if it’s simply a reflection of the increasingly high stakes for public figures under the intense glare of fans and media alike.