A recent comment made by Bobby, a member of iKON and solo artist, during a fan sign event has sparked a heated debate in an online community.
The conversation took an interesting turn when a fan expressed her support for B.I, another former iKON member. Bobby responded by saying, "Please take good care of Hanbin."
Ever since B.I's departure from iKON in 2019 and subsequent legal issues related to illegal drug use, the remaining members have consistently emphasized that they hold no ill will towards him.
This was evident in 2020 when iKON released their first album as a six-member group, 'i DECIDE,' featuring four songs with B.I credited as a composer and lyricist.
While other members like Donghyuk and Kim Jin Hwan have occasionally shown their friendship with B.I on social media, such as birthday wishes and comments on his posts, Bobby has been notably vocal in expressing his support for B.I.
Despite Bobby actively promoting his recent 3rd full album, 'Sir. Robert,' this ongoing support has once again become a topic of discussion in the online community.
Some commented,
"If they decide to stay close privately, that's up to them but… during promotions or on social media, it's best not to mention him."
"It's fine if they stay friends but just don't mention him when you're promoting as iKON! Don't link the group name we love with a drug user!"
"I guess to iKON, illegal drugs isn't a crime."
"If they want to stay buddies then the fans will just have to leave."
"Plenty of K-Pop idols out there. No need to feel obligated to support a group that's friends with a criminal."
"I understand that they are real good friends but I also understand that some fans can't forgive him."
"Even after all these years, iKON is still 'that group that did drugs'."
"This is why I left a long time ago… it was too much to see the members going back to being friends as if nothing happened."
Meanwhile, others felt,
"How can you expect them to just pretend like someone who is obviously a good friend to them doesn't exist? And even if he said that during a fan sign, a fan sign isn't actually meant to be public either."
"Drug users need to feel that they can still be accepted by society, not shunned by it for their mistakes. I don't think what Bobby said is wrong."
"Honestly they should have gotten together as 7 members after leaving YG."
"Are there still fans who support iKON but don't want to see them interacting with B.I? Like, what are you still doing? Do yourself a favor and just spend your energy somewhere else. Most of the fans that are still here now are fine with it."
"Isn't a fan sign supposed to be a private conversation between a fan and their idol? It seems like someone just wants to stir up hate."
"Even if they acted like they cut off all contact with iKON, some people would probably still be mad, going, 'How can you just cut off your old friend like that, you're heartless'…"
"I don't see a problem with the members making decisions themselves to stay friends with him. The only thing that is officially controversial is that they used B.I's songs for the comeback. I'm sure a lot of fans were upset by that."
Source(1)
