“The Internet Is Forever”: 5 Times K-Pop Idols’ Deleted Posts Sparked Controversy

A phrase that has been repeated worldwide is that “the internet is forever,” meaning things posted and shared online will likely never disappear, even when deleted.

This has held true for K-Pop idols as well, as several have shared something, deleted it, and still caused controversies or heated discussions among fans.

Here are five idols whose posts still caused controversy even after being deleted.

1. Jeon Somi

Jeon Somi responded to a fan’s tweet that mimicked a trend where the OP would list a group of artists they didn’t like and include one they did.

Jeon Somi | KISS ME

The tweet in question named several YG Entertainment artists as “f*ck you” and praised Somi. The soloist responded to the tweet, saying, “yay they like me.”

There were mixed feelings about Somi’s response — some felt that the tweet was a sarcastic joke, while others took it as a sign of disrespect to the other artist mentioned.

2. P1Harmony’s Soul

While playing with the recent AI photo trend, P1Harmony‘s Soul shared a series of AI-edited photos on X before deleting the post. One of the photos depicted Soul wearing a durag with significantly darker skin.

P1Harmony’s Soul | FNC Entertainment AI-edited photo of P1Harmony’s Soul | @P1H_official/Instagram

Most admitted that Soul was likely just participating in the AI trend but did not approve of the photo’s “digital blackfishing.”

3. NCT’s Taeyong

NCT‘s Taeyong shared a video using a remixed audio of LE SSERAFIM‘s Chaewon making her viral concert mistake before deleting it shortly after.

230916 Taeyong tiktok update

“czennies be my colleagues” https://t.co/JL4OciHtYK#쟈니 #JOHNNY #ジャニー #NCT127 #NCT pic.twitter.com/MAusa2kcBM

— ㅈㅎㅈ (@209_archive) September 16, 2023

Though he was not the first to use the auto, nor the creator of the trend, many felt it was disrespectful and that he was “mocking her.” Others felt he had no ill intention, especially because the moment had been meme-ed so many times already.

4. TWICE’s Chaeyoung

During TWICE‘s time in the U.S. earlier this year, Chaeyoung uploaded a series of photos of herself wearing a t-shirt that featured a swastika on it.

TWICE’s Chaeyoung | Instagram

Due to the swastika’s image as a hate symbol, there was a huge backlash before and after she deleted the photos. Chaeyoung would later apologize for wearing the shirt.

5. BTS’s RM

In late November 2023, BTS‘s RM uploaded a photo of himself smoking on his Instagram story.

BTS’s RM (right) | @rkive/Instagram

The photo did not remain up for long, but fans still took notice. As with any idol that is discovered to be smoking, netizens had mixed feelings despite RM being an adult.