On November 14, Sydneytoday reported that the wife of EXO’s Chen had made her once-private social media account public. Through the newly accessible posts, she shared a photo of their daughter and even included a picture taken during her pregnancy. These uploads sparked renewed anger among fans, with many interpreting them as a provocation against those who had opposed the couple’s relationship.
But the controversy didn’t stop there. A more explosive revelation followed—Chen had allegedly used his fandom name to name his daughter. This piece of information, previously kept under wraps, caused widespread shock and dismay among fans, particularly given the circumstances surrounding Chen’s personal announcements.
Back in early 2020, Chen stunned the K-pop community by announcing his marriage and his wife’s pregnancy at the same time. Many fans felt betrayed by the sudden news, especially as it clashed with the traditional idol-fan dynamic in Korean entertainment. Despite this, he proceeded to give his daughter a name derived from the fandom’s identity—a move some fans view as rubbing salt in old wounds.
Critics argue that Chen has repeatedly shown disregard for fan sentiment. During his 2023 wedding ceremony, he invited musicians to perform “Don’t Go”—a track long considered a heartfelt gift to EXO-Ls—right in front of his bride and guests. This decision was seen by many as a direct slight to longtime supporters, igniting another wave of criticism online.
The backlash against Chen has been intense across online forums, where many fans continue to call out what they perceive as thoughtless and provocative actions. Some believe he intentionally uses symbols of the fandom to assert defiance, while others argue that his choices merely reflect personal significance rather than malice.
However, not everyone is against him. A minority of netizens have defended Chen, stating he has the right to choose how he commemorates important moments in his life, including selecting songs for his wedding or naming his child.
Nonetheless, the damage to his public image in South Korea remains substantial. As a member of one of the most prominent third-generation K-pop groups, Chen’s sudden transformation from idol to husband and father left many fans disillusioned. Protests even erupted demanding his removal from EXO, citing perceived irresponsibility.
Now part of the new agency INB100 with fellow EXO members Baekhyun and Xiumin, Chen’s efforts to restart his music career have yet to gain strong traction. His recent comeback album Arcadia sold only 13,576 copies in its first week—an astonishing drop compared to the 79,000 copies sold during the first week of his previous release.
Sources: kenh14
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