Netizens Criticize A Journalist’s Inappropriate Question To BABYMONSTER About Fellow Fifth-Gen Girl Group ILLIT

BABYMONSTER has been praised for its mature answers after netizens hit back at an inappropriate question given to the members during an interview.

The members of BABYMONSTER | YG Entertainment

Recently, BABYMONSTER made their official (re)debut with the track “SHEESH.”

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[Video could not be displayed]

Of course, they’re not the only big group that made their debut as HYBE‘s new girl group ILLIT debuted with the song “Magnetic.”

THe members of ILLIT | @ILLIT_official/Twitter

Unsurprisingly, with two girl groups from the “Big 4,” Korean journalists are trying to take advantage by creating a “rivalry.”

On April 4, a Korean media outlet released an interview with BABYMONSTER. While many of the questions were standard for any new group or press interview, one sparked anger among netizens as they mentioned fellow girl group ILLIT, who debuted at the end of last month.

BABYMONSTER is classified as a 5th-generation idol. What do you think of the rival group ILLIT that debuted a while ago?

— Journalist

While it was a strong and bold question looking for a controversial answer, the two members who responded knew exactly what they wanted and gave them the opposite, a perfectly neutral answer.

Rora: I have a close acquaintance among the ILLIT members. I am rooting for them as colleagues. We will perform with our own hip-hop vibe. There are many prominent people among the 5th generation of idols, so we plan to work hard without giving in. I will not be discouraged and trust the members.

Ahyeon: I think it’s more important how much we improve ourselves than compete with other groups. We need to create a close bond [together] and showcase a cool side of each other.

| YG Entertainment

When the question and members’ answers were shared online, it sparked huge anger. Although netizens praised the BABYMONSTER members’ response, they hated how the journalists were obviously trying to create drama with a question that they wanted a controversial answer for.

journalist was fishing for shady comments but babymonster shut them down immediately

— . (@geokonic__) April 4, 2024

The journalist wants drama but babymonster ain't giving you that, I really like how they answer those questions https://t.co/5aEuvrvRmu

— Cielle ✧ (@d_danhiS) April 4, 2024

I’m impressed and proud of how they both handled that question as teenagers https://t.co/jFGL7mh8ZM

— rei ୨୧ ????| ivepink (@loveurei) April 4, 2024

No wonder companies don’t let their groups do journalists press anymore. babymonster girlies got theur A’s on media training https://t.co/ECsR2LH209 pic.twitter.com/5sbubxRQ8g

— pinkcvnt (@kai5thmember) April 4, 2024

first of all, why are these journalists asking questions like this? it’s so unprofessional and weird of them to do. nonetheless, babymonster handled that with professionalism, they were media trained very well by YG, and i’m glad they were

— ???? (@GhoulPinks) April 4, 2024

The comparisons between idol groups with similar debuts or concepts have always been prominent in Korean media, and BABYMONSTER definitely learned the perfect way to respond.