Netizens have had mixed feelings over Super Junior Heechul‘s recent comments about Kep1er member Chaehyun.
Super Junior’s Heechul Kep1er’s Chaehyun
Recently, Heechul appeared on Kep1er’s YouTube program KebyKe Resturant. Kep1er’s Xiaoting, Mashiro & Chaehyun, and entertainer Lee Su Ji host celebrity guests in a restaurant-like setting.
(left to right) Kep1er’s Xiaoting, Mashiro, Chaehyun, and entertainer Lee Su Ji. | 스튜디오 호락호락/YouTube
The latest episode featured Heechul and began comically as the “chefs” were given his long list of food dislikes.
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When the idols sit down and join him, the topic of age comes up, and Chaehyun says that she is a 02-liner and is younger than Xiaoting and Mashiro, who are both 99-liners. Heechul expressed disbelief, saying she “doesn’t look any younger” than the two other Kep1er members.
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Later in the episode, the stars bring up the subject of weight, mentioning that it is something that newer groups get in trouble over. Chaehyun notes that she was very skinny as a trainee, and Lee Su Ji says she is still skinny.
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After she negates that, Heechul continues by saying that while she is skinny, she will be compared to other idols’ visuals. He also says that idols will be criticized whether or not they gain or lose weight because of this, and Chaehyun agrees.
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These comments have earned mixed reactions from netizens, with some saying that Heechul did not mean any harm and spoke plainly from his experience as an idol, as he often does.
you mfs are going to hell for lying he did NOT bodyshame her https://t.co/skPaNsX9XF pic.twitter.com/PnIDn1LN8T
— aidey (@ultdonghaeee) December 27, 2023
i’m not even a heechul defender but he was literally explaining how the weight/beauty standards are in the idol industry because it was clear that the other host didn’t understand why chaehyun would be in trouble for something minuscule that… https://t.co/z4s53qO9xr
— ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 ! (@hwiyri) December 27, 2023
Now this is not what you’re all going to do. I watched the show. Crucify him if he said something wrong for all I care, but he literally said chaehyun is skinny but it might not seem that way when she’s with other idols bc of the standards of being “skinny” in the industry https://t.co/4ZOQtuX1O3
— selle ♡ (@luvchaehyvn) December 27, 2023
Others feel Heechul should not have commented on Chaehyun’s body, citing past criticism surrounding her weight.
Some have argued that men, in general, should not comment on women’s bodies as men are held to different standards, especially in the case of older men; Heechul is 19 years older than Chaehyun.
FUCK ALL OF YOU WHO ARE DEFENDING THIS HUMAN TRASH, CHAEHYUN LIKE ANY OTHER WOMAN DESERVES TO BE RESPECTED! their body and appearance shouldn’t be a topic of conversation! #WeLoveYouChaehyun #Kep1er #케플러 @official_kep1er
— ꧁𝓴𝓮𝓹𝓲𝓰𝓲𝓻𝓵𝓼꧂ (@lik3asuperS0nic) December 27, 2023
This is why I left kpop I can’t handle the misoginy that the women are being constantly put through by the men and the fandoms are horrenduos. He is going to get away with this, just like every other slightly pribiledge idol gets away with it. https://t.co/q7jfSTqkWp
— Mimi | Robin waiting room (@donotcallat3am) December 27, 2023
even if what heechul said about chaehyun was a mistranslation he is in no place to be talking abozt a 21 year old woman’s body like that. She opened about her struggles as a trainee ESPECIALLY with dieting and how she weighed less than 40kg back then and
— emi²⁴ — ‧₊˚ (@wabiville) December 27, 2023
You can watch the full episode below.
