Netizens wonder why IVE gets to replace Starship senior MONSTA X at an overseas concert
IVE continues to be suspected of receiving a biased treatment from the company.
Recently, the news of IVE’s performance at Europe’s largest K-pop music festival – Kpop.Flex made fans filled with pride. This is the group’s first overseas schedule since their debut until now. However, IVE came under yet another controversy over the reason they got a chance to perform at this major concert.
Specifically, the organizers of the Kpop.Flex concert recently announced the schedule and the lineup of artists participating in the 2 days of the event, on February 14 and 15, 2022 at Deutsche Bank Park Stadium (Germany). The official lineup includes: AB6IX, ENHYPEN, (G)-IDLE, IVE, Kai (EXO), MAMAMOO, NCT DREAM, MONSTA X, ONEUS and Sixth Act TBA.
IVE is the name that attracts the most attention. Some netizens find it surprising that IVE is only a 3-month-old rookie but already gets their first foreign schedule. Moreover, the fact that IVE was announced to replace their Starship senior MONSTA X in one day of the concert has raised questions.
MONSTA X will only perform on May 15. And the reason for MONSTA X’s incomplete presence at the event was also not fully revealed.
Allkpop reported, “According to the event coordinators, MONSTA X will not be able to perform on May 14 due to ‘unavoidable circumstances’. Instead, after discussion with Starship Entertainment took place, their labelmate IVE will take the place of the boy group.”
Controversy sparked for a reason, given the fact that in terms of international popularity, especially in the Western market, MONSTA X clearly outperforms IVE. The boy group has appeared many times in magazines, TV shows, performed at major events outside of Korea such as KIIS-FM Jingle Ball 2018, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Teen Choice Awards 2019. Therefore, fans expected MONSTA X to appear on both days of Kpop.Flex.
Meanwhile, 3 months into IVE’s debut, besides Wonyoung and Yujin, the rest of the group don’t have much stage experience. Not to mention IVE was constantly accused of lip-syncing and called out on lacking singing skills.
Up to now, IVE has only released 2 songs, ELEVEN and Take It, which makes netizens wonder what the group will perform when participating in both days of Kpop.Flex. Besides, Starship Entertainment is also suspected of favoring and arranging performances for IVE.
This is not the first time that IVE has been suspected of receiving a biased treatment from Starship among the company’s artists. Specifically, in the birthday live broadcasts of Wonyoung, Yujin and Rei, the places they were doing the live at were all beautifully decorated. On the other hand, the celebratory broadcasts MONSTA X, WJSN or CRAVITY all had basic and even repetitive preparations.
Despite getting embroiled in many controversies, IVE‘s charm is still undeniable. Within a short time, IVE has achieved many outstanding successes such as becoming the girl group with the fastest music show win for a debut song (only 7 days). The title song ELEVEN is still enjoying good rankings on domestic digital music charts. IVE has consistently stayed in the Top 10 of the girl group brand reputation rankings,
Besides, the popularity of Wonyoung and Yujin has brought Starship Entertainment many big endorsement deals, event schedules, and TV guest appearances. The remaining members of IVE are also gradually receiving individual offers.
Ignoring the unpleasant and unnecessary controversy, DIVEs (IVE’s fandom) are eagerly looking forward to the group’s first overseas performance at Kpop.Flex.
