Katseye's 17-year-old Yoonchae sparks backlash as her 5Gum collection sells out instantly

Katseye’s youngest member Yoonchae sees her 5Gum collection sell out fastest, sparking backlash over the collab

Katseye’s latest collaboration with 5Gum has sparked major debate online after fans noticed the unsettling details behind the project and how the youngest member, 17-year-old Yoonchae, became the face of its biggest sales surge.

The campaign, which features each member of the global pop group, includes a series of collectible items themed around intimacy and individuality. Every 5Gum pack features a kiss mark from one of the members, a bottle said to be infused with their ‘fresh breath’, and a glass marble inspired by each singer’s unique iris colour.

While the concept was likely meant to symbolise closeness between fans and idols, many felt it crossed a line, particularly due to Yoonchae’s age. Her individual collection reportedly sold out in less than a minute after release, triggering widespread unease about the implications of promoting such imagery involving a minor.

Critics on Reddit and X have called the marketing tone-deaf and exploitative, with one fan writing that “it feels inappropriate to include a 17-year-old in something with such adult-coded symbolism.” Others accused the company of “romanticising fan obsession” and blurring ethical boundaries in idol marketing.

Despite the backlash, some fans have defended the group, insisting the controversy unfairly targets Yoonchae herself, who had no creative control over the campaign. “She’s just doing her job,” one supporter commented. “Blame the adults who approved it.”

Neither Katseye’s management nor 5Gum’s parent company has issued an official statement addressing the concerns. However, social media remains divided, with hashtags like #ProtectYoonchae and #5GumApology trending globally after the launch.

As discussions continue, the controversy highlights ongoing conversations about age, consent, and the hyper-commercialisation of idol culture. For now, Yoonchae’s sold-out collection stands as both a commercial success and a cultural flashpoint, one that has reignited scrutiny of how far fan-marketing collaborations should go.