Recently, ENHYPEN fans were left shocked by a fan’s allegedly racist and offensive comments to Jake during a video call.
ENHYPEN’s Jake | Weverse
ENHYPEN recently returned with Orange Blood and have been promoting their new release since, appearing on music shows and attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
The group also made their Good Morning America debut, though fans were left displeased by the show’s treatment of the group.
“Good Morning America” Under Fire For “Disrespecting” ENHYPEN On Live TV
The group have continued their promotions into December, holding fan signs, both in person and through video calls. Fans have gotten some sought-after information from the members, like Jake’s favorite members of various idol groups.
: We all notice that you often reply to those who propose to you. May I ask what kinds of proposals you would like the most?
🦮: The reason I reply is bcs it’s fun to watch other Engene being jealous
#제이크 #JAKE pic.twitter.com/s3AOkTzbtO
— Lee (@CherishYou1208) December 2, 2023
Unfortunately, one fan call has gained attention for all the wrong reasons.
During one of his video calls, a fan gives Jake a long speech. The clip begins with her saying that Jake has grown up the most “among all the members,” a comparison many did not like, before mentioning an embarrassing moment from his time on I-Land.
Among all the members, you [have] grown up the most. I mean from the boy who drop[ped] his mic to the main vocal of ENHYPEN. Everytime I see you, like everytime I see you perform, I’m so proud of you.
— Fan
The fan dishes some compliments to Jake before making the comment that many have considered racist. The fan says that they are grateful to have the idol as a “foreigner member” among all the “Asian people with [an] Asian way of thinking.”
— ganaekxy (@jjjrpbsjm264109) December 5, 2023
And I’m so glad we have you as a foreigner member in ENHYPEN. Because among all these Asian people with [an] Asian way of thinking, I’m so happy we have you. You are so easy going, so open minded.
— Fan
Many idols from English-speaking countries are known for differences in how they speak and act at times due to their upbringing, but many felt these comments disregarded Jake’s Asian identity as a Korean-Australian.
how are you as a kpop fan, indulging in ASIAN culture and fangirling over ASIAN men going to tell said KOREAN MAN that he’s not asian. AS A COMPLIMENT. common white ignorance. do you think jake doesn’t want to be asian??? what the hell is wrong with you?
— jalai HOONKI MONTH (@HOUSEOFJONG) December 4, 2023
i’m sorry but speaking to an asian man and telling him you’re glad he doesn’t have an “asian way of thinking” are you dumb…u just spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to make a member uncomfortable. are u proud?
— SYD (@jaeyun444) December 4, 2023
Some also felt the comments were racist in nature, grouping all Asians, including the other group members, under a negative, close-minded stereotype.
While the conservative nature of some countries, including Korea, has been discussed and criticized in the past regarding the social issues it causes, it is wrong to group all Asians in such a way as many fight for change.
how did you manage to not only be weirdly racist by insinuating asians are close-minded and stuck up but also erase j4ke’s asian identity TO HIS FACE https://t.co/TMp7JdOSbT
— tiny heeseung (@tiniehee) December 4, 2023
I feel like what happened on that fancall with Jake shouldn’t be diminished, engenes and he himself are ALLOWED to feel hurt by it. That was LITERALLY hate speech against Asian people. She was talking down to his members while in the same breath “praising” him? Racism. Seriously.
— wifeofhyunjin (real.) 樂 is covered by hyunchan (@stayinghyunjin) December 4, 2023
WHAT??? THIS IS SO XENOPHOBIC JAKE IS ASIAN AND SO ARE ALL THE MEMBERS… https://t.co/NMk5vBhtRr
— J⁷ Enhypen Orange Blood 🩸Jungkook GOLDEN (@ShadowBoxYoon) December 4, 2023
While complimenting idols is encouraged when meeting them, fans often warn against doing it at the expense of others.
