BOYNEXTDOOR member Leehan has become the subject of heated online discussion after his appearance in a dance challenge with EPEX‘s Baekseung sparked criticism from some Korean netizens.

Dance challenges have become a staple of K-pop promotions, often serving as a way for artists to support each other’s new releases while creating engaging content for fans. However, one recent collaboration has generated controversy instead of praise.

The discussion began after a social media user shared a video comparing Leehan’s performance in EPEX’s “Echo” challenge with several other dance challenge clips featuring BOYNEXTDOOR. The post argued that Leehan appeared noticeably less enthusiastic during the collaboration with Baekseung.

In the clip, Baekseung performed the choreography with energetic expressions and confident movements, while some viewers felt Leehan looked relatively expressionless and less engaged. Although both idols completed the challenge, Leehan’s facial expressions quickly became the main topic of conversation online.

Leehan dance challenge controversy

Many critics argued that dance challenges are not only promotional content but also a gesture of respect between artists. Since EPEX debuted in 2021 and BOYNEXTDOOR debuted in 2023, several netizens emphasized that Baekseung is Leehan’s senior in the industry, making the perceived lack of enthusiasm appear disrespectful in their eyes.

The comparison became even more widespread as fans circulated Leehan’s previous challenge videos, with some claiming there was a noticeable difference in his energy depending on the collaboration. Others, however, pointed out that judging an idol’s attitude from a short video could be unfair, noting that factors such as filming conditions, fatigue, or personal style might have influenced his expressions.

As the clip continues circulating online, opinions remain divided. While some believe Leehan’s performance reflected poor manners toward a senior artist, others argue that the criticism has been exaggerated and that it is impossible to determine someone’s intentions from a brief promotional video alone.

Sources: Theqoo