Why Chen of K-pop group EXO’s ‘selfish choice’ has upset so many fans – and is the ‘toxic’ response fair?
Fans have called for EXO’s lead vocalist to leave the group after he announced his engagement and his girlfriend’s pregnancy
What K-pop group EXO's Chen called a “blessing” has turned into fans’ condemnation.
The lead vocalist, 27, is facing a huge backlash from angry fans who have called for him to leave the group after he dropped wedding and baby news with his girlfriend on Monday.
One fan community – DC Inside EXO – expressed its disapproval of the singer’s decision and called for his removal from the group.
Multiple foreign media outlets, including CNN, The Jakarta Post and Nikkan Sports, reported on the singer’s engagement and his girlfriend’s pregnancy.
Chen delivered the news through a handwritten letter saying: “I have a girlfriend, who I want to share the rest of my life with. While I was discussing with other EXO members and company officials about delivering the news [on my girlfriend], a ‘blessing’ came to us.”
There has also been a response to the backlash, with some fans expressing their undying support for the star and condemning “toxic Koreans” and “toxic mentality”.
The Twitter user EXOXBILLBOARD (@exoxbillboard) tweeted a statement of support for Chen.