K-Pop fans clash: 'Rosé and Jennie Challenge' ignites amid 'Suga Challenge' controversy

"It's difficult to confirm whether BLACKPINK fans truly created the 'Suga Challenge,'" says cultural critic.

The K-pop world is once again at the center of a heated controversy as the new "Rosé and Jennie Challenge" emerges in retaliation to the "Suga Challenge," stirring significant discord among fans. 

Rumors claim that the "Suga Challenge," which involved defending BTS member Suga's alleged incident, was initially fabricated by BLACKPINK's fanbase, BLINK, to tarnish BTS's reputation. 

This accusation has unleashed a wave of backlash against BLACKPINK members Rosé and Jennie, with some fans sharing manipulated images and inappropriate content to disparage them.

The situation escalated as international ARMYs, the dedicated fanbase of BTS, created counter-challenges involving Rosé and Jennie, which quickly gained traction and views, adding to the already volatile fan rivalry. 

The conflict between the fanbases isn't new; similar incidents have been reported in the past, such as when BTS's V inadvertently followed Jennie on Instagram, leading to targeted harassment from fans.

Cultural critic Ha Jae-geun has highlighted the differences in fanbase behaviors between domestic and international communities, noting that such aggressive actions are less common in Korea due to longstanding cultural norms among fans. 

He emphasized, "It's difficult to confirm whether BLACKPINK fans truly created the 'Suga Challenge,' so it's premature to blame BLINKs for this incident. 

Even if they were involved, it's clearly wrong for international ARMYs to respond by spreading false claims and attacking BLACKPINK."

This phenomenon of fanbase aggression isn't isolated to just idol groups but extends to other entertainment sectors, affecting artists and exacerbating fan conflicts globally. 

The ongoing issues underline the need for international fanbases to adopt more respectful practices towards other artists and their supporters.