“Racist And Zionist”: ENHYPEN’s Collab With Bella Poarch Met With Divided Reactions

ENHYPEN‘s latest collab has been met with mixed reactions from ENGENEs.

ENHYPEN recently posted a video on TikTok, teasing that fifth EP ORANGE BLOOD would be featuring another artist.

@enhypen

GUESS WHO #ENHYPEN #ORANGEBLOOD

♬ 오리지널 사운드 – enhypen – enhypen

It ended with a clip of the back of a person flipping their long pigtails.

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Netizens immediately recognized this iconic hairstyle as belonging to Filipina American TikTok content creator and music artist Bella Poarch. Before it was confirmed, fans expressed mixed feelings.

Now, it has been confirmed with both ENHYPEN and Bella Poarch appearing in a video posted by interviewer Liam McEwan.

ENHYPEN X LIAM COLLAB SOON!?! @ENHYPEN @bellapoarch pic.twitter.com/sn9gpam2Lc

— Liam McEwan (@LiamMcEwan) November 5, 2023

Bella Poarch’s name also appeared on the tracklist today for the song. She will feature on one of three versions of “Sweet Venom.”

#ENHYPEN ORANGE BLOOD Tracklist#엔하이픈 #ORANGEBLOOD pic.twitter.com/Tz4VrDuEKb

— BELIFT LAB (@BELIFTLAB) November 5, 2023

Yet, many netizens, including some fans, are calling for a boycott of this song specifically due to Bella Poarch. Many are claiming that she is racist and Zionist.

Here’s a tutorial on how to hide the bella poarch featuring so you don’t stream it accidentally ~ pic.twitter.com/a6uwVjhXfU

— maria (@heeiIu) November 5, 2023

Firstly, a couple of years ago, Bella Poarch received backlash for a tattoo of hers. She got a tattoo of Japan’s Rising Sun flag with a heart replacing the sun at the center. The Rising Sun is offensive by many Koreans as it’s associated with Japanese imperialism, Japan’s actions in World War II, and especially Imperial Japan’s treatment of Korea while the country was under its colonial rule.

Bella has apologized, writing, “At that time, I didn’t know the history. But when I found out, I immediately had it covered and scheduled for removal. I am ashamed of myself for not doing my research. I sincerely apologize.” She has also since professed her love for Korea on many occasions. Still, many were in disbelief, knowing she herself is a U.S. Navy veteran.

I apologize to Koreans because 6 months ago I got a tattoo of the red sun with 16 rays. At that time, I didn’t know the history. But when I found out, I immediately had it covered and scheduled for removal. I am ashamed of myself for not doing my research. I sincerely apologize.

— Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch) September 6, 2020

That’s not all, though.  Netizens resurfaced a social media post in which Bella Poarch defended a nickname she calls her friend that some have also deemed racist. “Harambe” is a famous gorilla.

The most common criticism against Bella is that she is allegedly Zionist. The “evidence” of this is that she once was asked, “Do you love Israel?” on one of her videos on TikTok. The resurfaced screenshot shows that she replied, “Yes.” On the other hand, Bella Poarch has been silent regarding the Israel-Palestine war.

it’s very easy for you guys, do NOT listen to the version with bella poarch and instead focus on the version without her! thats how easy it is to not give money to a zionist and terrible person please you guys its the least anyone can do pic.twitter.com/5E55FFS8uJ

— ناف (@enhacentric) November 5, 2023

reminding everyone with a possible bella poarch x en- collab or whatever thing coming that she’s a zionist pic.twitter.com/tryZpNGGAc

— ناف (@enhacentric) November 5, 2023

So, many netizens are calling for the boycott of the Bella Poarch version of “Sweet Venom,” believing she is Zionist and racist.

a reminder that bella poarch is a zionist with a rising sun tattoo pic.twitter.com/zw0vLMGOZX

— autumn⁷ ???? (@ghiblijoonies) November 5, 2023

Yet, some ENGENEs have also come to Bella Poarch’s defense, citing apologies and her own history of traumas and abuse.

i'm not engene and i'm not a bella poarch fan but guys you just have to check something before making or fueling controversy online https://t.co/cEk6Y7S2Vg pic.twitter.com/3z4bliycTr

— feli⁷ GOLDEN DUAL ҽɾα (@feliciaconlac) November 5, 2023

Hi y'all as a filo-engenes, I wanna discuss this issue.

Can you please stop hating bella when she already apologize year's ago.

& That comment is literally years ago, when someone ask do you love PALESTINE; what y'all expecting she would say no?#BellaPoarch #ENHYPEN pic.twitter.com/tsogrYsi31

— Hwang Minhyun #황민현 Daily. (@HwangMinhyun01) November 5, 2023

Bella poarch deserves better than this pic.twitter.com/p4y0jYbgDW

— Riz. (@its_imnayeon) November 6, 2023

Additionally, Bella Poarch has been an outspoken fan of ENHYPEN herself. Read more below.

Bella Poarch Is An ENGENE, Attending ENHYPEN’s Concert