THE BOYZ’ New Refuses To Do Aegyo For An International Fan During A Video Call Event — Netizens Have A Lot To Say

Recently, THE BOYZ held a video call event for fans who purchased their second full-length Japanese album Delicious. Winning fans were given a chance to chat with the members for 15 seconds—however, one fan’s 15 seconds were not like the others.

A video from the event gained attention because of THE BOYZ member New and his reaction to a fan’s request during her 15 seconds. In the video of the short call, a Japanese fan was heard requesting New to do aegyo. He responded that he didn’t know how to do aegyo, and the fan asked two more times—only to be rejected each time.

더보이즈 뉴 최찬희 영통

오빠 애교 해주세요
-없어요

애교 해주세요
-없어요

애교 해주세요ㅠ
-없어요

20230708 #theboyz #new pic.twitter.com/hGpzpu3RUF

— Kitsch (@soda95394782448) July 8, 2023

THE BOYZ New Choi Chanhee Video Call

Oppa, please show me aegyo.
— I don’t have any [to show].

Please show aegyo.
— I don’t have any.

Please? Show me some aegyo.
— I don’t have any.

— @dec_luv___22

The video spread rapidly throughout social media and online communities, and netizens expressed their disappointment at New’s fan service. Many criticized him for being unable to make a simple gesture, like a finger heart, or at least to suggest doing something else for the fan, such as singing.

• “If he didn’t want to do cutesy stuff, he could’ve simply told the fan that he wasn’t good at it or something… But considering he’s still an idol, and it’s not like he’s speaking to a complete stranger, this is no way to be treating fans via a video call.”
• “With 15 seconds, he could’ve gotten away with a ???????? and the fan would’ve been OK… But if I remember correctly, he’s the one who picked fights with his Bubble messages, too. So… LOL. Looks like he hasn’t changed at all.”
• “Watching this broke my heart, too. What’s so hard about a bit of aegyo?”
• “If he ‘didn’t have any,’ he could’ve offered to show the fan something else. Had I been treated this way, I would’ve quit stanning right away.”
• “Also… I think he could’ve kept in mind that the fan wasn’t Korean. International fans, who aren’t near native in the Korean language, don’t get to say a lot in the 15 seconds anyway. So they choose to go for easy missions like, ‘Show me aegyo.’ Even that’s coming from practicing the phrase in Korean many times. And I feel like ANYONE, even non-idols, would find that grateful and give the I-Fan what they want. It’s not like the I-Fan wanted something grand. A quick finger heart would’ve absolutely done the trick. So, IMO, this idol isn’t really cut out for the idol job.”
• “THE BOYZ AGAIN?”

Others pointed out that the Japanese fan was limited in speaking Korean, which was perhaps why she asked him to do aegyo. Although it is entirely understandable for a K-Pop idol not to do everything they are requested, netizens couldn’t help but raise their eyebrows at this situation because this isn’t the first time New has done something like this.

In March of this year, New gained attention for not wanting to participate in a “grip test” a fan prepared during a fan sign event. He then called out the fan on Bubble for posting the results of the “grip test,” which led to a heated debate.

Netizens In A Heated Debate Over THE BOYZ’s New “Calling Out” A Fan On Bubble

• “I’m not a fan of THE BOYZ, but even I’ve heard of New because of his past controversies. LOL. I would’ve just gotten away with a finger heart or a wink. What’s his problem? LMAO.”
• “Just wants to make the money. Tsk tsk.”
• “I feel terrible for the international fan.”
• “But if you want to make money, you have to put in the work. Nothing is for free. LOL. If you don’t like the tasks involved, get a new job.”
• “If he really hated the idea of putting on an aegyo show for the fan, he could’ve easily asked, “Would it be OK if I sang for you instead?” Like, is that so hard? Why is he acting out like a high school kid? I hate leaving comments like this, but I find this so over the line that I had to.”
• “It’s not like the fan was asking him for some nasty, infantilizing sh*t, either. What’s so hard about showing her a quick cheek heart? LMAO. He thinks his fans are all dumb, doesn’t he?”
• “Just a quick finger heart would’ve been more than enough… Or he could’ve offered to show her something else, like a ‘cool pose’ or whatever, if he hated the aegyo idea so much.”
• “Treating his fans like doormats, huh?”

The netizen who posted the 15-second video call with New and the Japanese fan also posted pictures of all the members of THE BOYZ doing aegyo during the video call event. It was immediately noticeable that New was the only member who did not do aegyo.

This moment brought to light an interview with the magazine At Style for the February issue of 2022 when THE BOYZ was asked what the secret to the group’s growth was. Ju Hak Nyeon responded that 99% of the credit goes to the B (THE BOYZ’s fandom name) and that the remaining 1% is their own efforts. New, on the hand, refuted Ju Hak Hyeon’s response and shared his honest opinion that hurt the B’s feelings.

I think a little differently. I think it’s 100% our effort. I’m not just saying this. We really put a lot of effort all this time. The amount we practiced is also significant.

— New

Some fans were disappointed by his honest answer, whereas others said he was joking and usually showed much love for his Bs.