On October 9, the YouTube channel KODE dropped a teaser for its upcoming show Trip KODE , teasing an “anti-aging” tip involving heart-racing travels. The show, premiering October 16 at 6:30 PM KST, promises an unconventional romantic reality format, centered around two fourth-generation idols embarking on a “heart-pounding” trip together.
Though the teaser did not explicitly reveal the stars, fans quickly recognized the pair as (G)I-DLE’s Miyeon and former CIX member Bae Jinyoung , based on brief glimpses and social media clues.
The response was swift and intense. While some netizens were thrilled at the prospect of seeing the two idols interact in a dating show format, others were outraged—particularly fans uncomfortable with their favorite idols being portrayed in romantic pairings.
“Why is she appearing on a program like this? Does the company have a death wish?” one user posted, echoing a sentiment that has drawn criticism for fostering unhealthy parasocial expectations.
Despite this backlash, many fans defended the idols’ right to explore diverse opportunities. Supporters called out the toxic gatekeeping behavior, urging Miyeon and Jinyoung to freely express their artistry—even if that includes scripted romance.
Adding to the controversy, the original teaser video was quietly removed from KODE’s YouTube channel, though it remains on Twitter and other social platforms. The channel has yet to issue an official explanation, but the disappearance has raised concerns that the show might be canceled before its premiere.
This show reminds fans of We Got Married. From 2008 to 2017, We Got Married captured audiences with its faux-marriage pairings of K-pop idols and actors, delivering real-life K-drama fantasies to fans. Now, Trip KODE is set to revive that format with a modern twist – the internet is already ablaze with reactions.
Online discussions continue to escalate, with some netizens comparing Trip KODE to relics of the early 2000s and predicting the show’s downfall. Comments range from skeptical—
- “Are we still living in 2000?”
- “They lost it. This will get scrapped just like others before.”
- —to speculative:
- “Jinyoung-ah, is that you…?”
- “Miyeon? IDLE’s Miyeon?”
Sources: Netizenbuzz
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