Netizens recently reacted to a performance of LE SSERAFIM‘s “Unforgiven” by survival show contestants.
LE SSERAFIM | Source Music
I-Land 2 aired its first episode recently, introducing the 24 contestants competing to debut in a new girl group under WakeOne Entertainment. This first episode involved the trainees performing songs to be ranked and sorted for future activities.
| Mnet
One set of trainees were tasked with performing LE SSERAFIM’s “Unforgiven,” which held a heavier meaning than was expected due to the recent controversy surrounding the group.
Following their performance at Coachella, LE SSERAFIM were subject to harsh criticism regarding their live singing skills that sparked a larger debate over HYBE’s training practices.
Korean Netizens Scoff At Comparisons Between LE SSERAFIM And Madonna After “Coachella 2024”
As “I-LAND 2” is the follow-up to I-Land, which formed HYBE subsidy BE:LIFT Lab‘s ENHYPEN, many eyes were on the performance.
I-LAND 2 trainees performing ‘UNFORGIVEN’ by LE SSERAFIM. pic.twitter.com/3h2JE3WaOw
— Kpop Charts (@kchartsmaster) April 18, 2024
As a result of the performance, three out of the four trainees who performed the song were given more than two Is, meaning they were allowed into the nicer “I-Land” facility, while those with two or fewer were assigned to “Ground,” the elimination zone.
I-LAND and GROUND trainees of UNFORGIVEN TEAM:
I-LAND:
– Son Juwon (4 Is)
– Kim Minsol (4 Is)
– Ryu Sarang (5 Is)
GROUND:
– Um Jiwon (2 Is)#ILAND2 #아이랜드2 @mnetiland pic.twitter.com/UjhOvKBBbp
— ILAND ɴ/α CENTRAL ⚘ (@ILAND2CENTRAL) April 18, 2024
The performance was placed online after the episode, where netizens watched and reacted.
Many found the performance done by the trainees, making digs at LE SSERAFIM in the process.
but they sang better than the original https://t.co/829bnlkflu pic.twitter.com/xiL4eMCU6p
— May J (@MayJ953845) April 18, 2024
its better than the original https://t.co/4boRnpjcYE
— Sondia ⸆⸉ (@poursevanter) April 18, 2024
not them singing better than the original singers https://t.co/IMgjC8pqJq
— maryam ︎ (@BBHL0EY) April 18, 2024
Others saw the LE SSERAFIM comments as a way of continuing the “hate train” and involving the I-Land 2 contestants unnecessarily.
K-pop stans are miserable , not even idols who have committed actual crimes get bullied like this . The things you say about Lesserafim you would never dare to say it to their faces , k-pop stans are a bunch of cowards and bullies , I hope karma hit every single one of you . https://t.co/rNHpKKH8QC
— Lu | FIMCHELLA (@doll_kzh) April 18, 2024
the hate is so forced like how is this better than the original https://t.co/WZqnLuIc9c
— (@ezarafim) April 18, 2024
Saying this is better than the original is so forced https://t.co/pgvvjX0MYz
— yurukas³⁹ (@yurukas3926) April 18, 2024
While comparisons were to be expected, the continued hate towards LE SSERAFIM has long since left the constructive category for many and is now affecting the unrelated I-Land 2 contestants.
The performance comes after LE SSERAFIM’s “Coachella” controversy.
