Starship Entertainment has publicly responded to allegations linking IDID member Kim Minjae to symbols and expressions associated with the controversial online community Ilbe. Despite the agency’s detailed explanation, many Korean netizens remain skeptical of the circumstances surrounding the content in question.
The controversy stems from a “setlog” video uploaded by Kim Minjae on May 17. The clip was accompanied by the caption “iya,” a common Korean exclamation often used to express excitement or satisfaction. However, some viewers quickly began pointing out several details they found suspicious.
According to online discussions, the video was filmed upside down, while on-screen text, including the phrase “stage over,” was also displayed in reverse. In addition, the time shown in the footage was 7 PM. These elements led some netizens to speculate that the content contained hidden references associated with Ilbe culture.
Within certain online circles, upside-down images have been linked to mockery of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. Meanwhile, the number seven has occasionally been used by Ilbe users in a derogatory context regarding Korea’s Jeolla region. As a result, the combination of these elements sparked widespread criticism and accusations across social media and online communities.
In an official statement released on May 30, Starship Entertainment firmly denied that the content contained any political message or hidden symbolism.
The company explained that the footage was filmed on May 16 after the content team suggested using the increasingly popular “setlog” format. According to the agency, Kim Minjae was unfamiliar with the filming style and accidentally recorded the video upside down before sending it to staff members responsible for editing.
Starship stated that the production team noticed the issue during the review process and considered reshooting the content. However, they ultimately decided to keep the footage unchanged, believing the accidental recording could be incorporated naturally into the final video.
The agency further clarified that all captions and graphics were intentionally placed upside down during editing to match the orientation of the original footage. It also emphasized that the “19:00” timestamp reflected the actual time the stage activities ended and was not included for any other purpose.
Addressing the caption “iya,” Starship said the expression was used simply as an everyday exclamation. The company added that neither the artist nor the staff recognized any connection between the phrase and specific online communities at the time of publication.
Starship stressed that the content was edited and uploaded by the relevant department rather than Kim Minjae himself. The agency categorically denied the allegations and stated that there was no intention to reference Ilbe or any related symbolism.
While standing by its explanation, the company acknowledged shortcomings in its review process. Starship apologized for causing concern and misunderstanding among viewers, promising to implement stricter internal checks for future content releases. The agency also noted that Kim Minjae feels apologetic about the controversy and regrets the worry caused by the unexpected situation.
Despite the statement, reactions from Korean netizens have remained largely critical.
Many online commenters argued that the agency’s explanation failed to address why multiple questionable elements appeared together in the same video. Some pointed out that not only the footage but also the captions were inverted, while others questioned the significance of the exact 7 PM timestamp and the additional explanation attached to the “iya” caption.
Several commenters suggested that the combination of details was too specific to be dismissed as coincidence. Others mocked the explanation outright, claiming the agency underestimated the public’s intelligence. Some users familiar with the setlog format also argued that the footage could have easily been corrected during the editing process if the upside-down recording had truly been accidental.
As debate continues online, the controversy has become an early challenge for Kim Minjae and IDID, the rookie boy group formed through Starship Entertainment’s survival program Debut’s Plan.
Whether the agency’s explanation will eventually calm public concerns remains uncertain, but for now, many netizens appear unconvinced by Starship’s defense of the young idol.
Sources: Koreaboo
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