Fact Check: Did TREASURE’s Hyunsuk Really Make A “Disrespectful” Statement About Doing “Extra Things” Apart From Performing?

In a recent livestream, TREASURE‘s Hyunsuk made a statement that has since gained attention and criticism. Things blew up when the media quoted the statement, causing the public to think that he had been making a “disrespectful statement.”

Korean media outlet HERALD POP reported the following quote. They claimed that he had said the following.

When I perform, I want to focus only on the performance. I honestly don’t want to do anything extra. Of course, if [fans] really want to see something and are really curious about something, the other members will definitely do it [for the fans], but honestly, for me, before I stand on stage as a singer, I don’t want to do miscellaneous things. A singer should only need to prepare for the performance well. Why do [we] have to keep doing useless things? There’s gotten to be too many. Just focus on the performance if it’s a performance. If it’s contents, focus on the contents. This is just wholly my personal thoughts.

— Hyunsuk

Seeing a repost of the Korean article, netizens on theqoo were quick to criticize him, calling him out for complaining to the fans rather than to his agency staff.

Netizen reactions. | theqoo

• LOL, so I’m curious as to how amazing these skills of yours are.
• Celebrities really have such a victim mindset. Why are they complaining to the fans? Tell the company you don’t want to, and to leave you out. Fans aren’t your emotional trash cans.
• But why is he saying that on live stream?
• I was cheering him on during TREASURE Chest. I liked him then because he was so determined.
• Why is he saying what needs to be said in front of the staff, in front of the fans?
• Don’t be an idol.
• Don’t be an idol… I’m a fan who works in the industry, and this only gets more tiring. You can not want to do fan service. Then you should be a celebrity without a company to push you, but with your own strength.
• Just don’t be an idol.
• Then don’t be an idol. Why are you like that to the fans?

But did Hyunsuk really make an unprovoked, disrespectful comment about such matters? Although Hyunsuk’s words did sound harsh given his choice of words, he was actually responding to a question by a fan. A fan had asked if he had been in the Krunk mascot costume at a concert, to which Hyunsuk replied that he “does not often dress up as Krunk.” It is tradition for the members to surprise fans by going undercover as the Krunk mascot at concerts.

Hyunsuk had preceded the above quote by stating that before a concert, he does not do anything as he would be in a sensitive state. He would not even do those backstage interviews before a concert, as he is wholly focused on the performance and concert. Hyunsuk was not disrespecting fan service.

In addition, after a playback and listen of the original livestream, it was found out that HERALD POP had misreported and misheard what he said. They had misheard the term “TEUME” and transcribed it as “the other members” instead. This caused what he said to be warped.

Misquoted part by HERALD POP highlighted. | HERALD POP

What he had actually said was not “if [fans] really want to see something and are really curious about something, the other members will definitely do it [for the fans],” but the following.

When I perform, I want to focus only on the performance. I honestly don’t want to do anything extra. Of course, if TEUMEs really want to see something and are really curious about something, I will definitely do it [for the fans].

— Correct quote from Hyunsuk

Hyunsuk had clearly expressed his willingness to do things for the fan if they wanted it, although he expressed his preference to focus on his performance as a singer. His quote can be verified at the 43:16 mark below.